ROPING PRACTICE APPARATUS

Abstract

The present invention includes a mechanical roping apparatus and method for practicing animal roping, the apparatus comprising: an animal assembly including a front, a rear, a frame, and a pivot that provides an up and down motion and simulates a hopping motion by an animal; a leg assembly mounted at the rear of the frame wherein the leg members are movable with respect to the frame and simulate a running motion; and an actuation assembly to move the leg members from a forward position when the leg members touch the ground, during a stride such that the leg members are in contact with the ground until they reach a rear facing position and the leg members are raised from the ground and kick; and the leg members are off the ground from the rear position to the front position.

Claims

1. A mechanical roping apparatus for practicing animal roping, the apparatus comprising: an animal assembly comprising a front, a rear, and a frame; a leg assembly mounted at the rear of the frame and including leg members; and 2, 3, or 4 or more skids positioned to the right, left, or both of a longitudinal centerline of the animal assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more indicia mounted on one or both leg members.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more indicia are selected from at least one of a visual, an auditory, or a vibrational cue, and if the one or more indicia are an auditory or a vibrational cue the one or more indicia are optionally carried by the user.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more indicia are visual and are selected from a light, a colored light, an LED, an OLED, is a light that changes colors, the light traverses from the top to the bottom of a string of lights and vice versa, the lights are red and green, the light is intermittent, the light dims and intensifies, or the light pulses.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more lights to provide a focal point.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the animal assembly further comprises a body removable and rotatable horns at the front of the animal assembly allowing for different horn sizes, shapes, and angles, and optionally the animal assembly is pulled from a tow bar or is self-propelling, or optionally the animal is bovine, ovine, equine, or swine.

7. A mechanical roping apparatus for practicing animal roping, the apparatus comprising: a stand; and a leg assembly mounted on the stand and including leg members.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising one or more indicia mounted on one or both leg members.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more indicia are selected from at least one of a visual, an auditory, or a vibrational cue, and if the one or more indicia are an auditory or a vibrational cue the one or more indicia are optionally carried by the user.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more indicia are visual and are selected from a light, a colored light, an LED, an OLED, is a light that changes colors, the light traverses from the top to the bottom of a string of lights and vice versa, the lights are red and green, the light is intermittent, the light dims and intensifies, or the light pulses.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising one or more lights to provide a focal point.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the animal assembly further comprises a body with removable and rotatable horns at the front of the animal assembly allowing for different horn sizes, shapes, and angles, optionally the animal assembly is pulled from a tow bar, or optionally the animal is bovine, ovine, equine, or swine.

13. A method for practicing animal roping comprising: providing a mechanical roping apparatus, the mechanical roping apparatus comprising: an animal assembly comprising a front, a rear, and a frame; a leg assembly mounted at the rear of the frame and including animal assembly leg members; and 2, 3, or 4 or more skids positioned to the right, left, or both of a longitudinal centerline of the animal assembly; or a stand and a leg assembly mounted on the stand and including stand leg members; and practicing roping the animal assembly leg members or the stand leg members.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising one or more indicia mounted on one or both animal assembly leg members or stand leg members.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more indicia are selected from at least one of a visual, an auditory, or a vibrational cue, and if the one or more indicia are an auditory or a vibrational cue the one or more indicia are optionally carried by the user.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more indicia are visual and are selected from a light, a colored light, an LED, an OLED, is a light that changes colors, the light traverses from the top to the bottom of a string of lights and vice versa, the lights are red and green, the light is intermittent, the light dims and intensifies, or the light pulses.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising one or more lights to provide a focal point.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the animal assembly further comprises removable and rotatable horns at the front of the animal assembly allowing for different horn sizes, shapes, and angles or optionally the animal is bovine, ovine, equine, or swine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures and in which:

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a mechanical roping steer of the present invention in a first position at the end of a stride;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a mechanical roping steer of the present invention in a second position as the legs move from the rear toward the front;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a mechanical roping steer of the present invention in a third position with the hip halfway down and the legs are all the way forward;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a mechanical roping steer of the present invention in a fourth position where the hip is all the way down and the legs are mid stride;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a detailed side view of one implementation of the mechanism for controlling the indicia, e.g., lights of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a rear view of a mechanical roping steer of the present invention showing a mechanism for increasing the stability of the mechanical roping steer;

[0028] FIG. 7 is a side view of still another mechanical roping apparatus of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a side view of yet another mechanical roping apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention.

[0031] To facilitate the understanding of this invention, a number of terms are defined below. Terms defined herein have meanings as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the areas relevant to the present invention. Terms such as a, an and the are not intended to refer to only a singular entity, but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration. The terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their usage does not delimit the invention, except as outlined in the claims.

[0032] The present invention improves on known steer roping practice devices by providing the trainee with indicia of the best time to rope the hind legs of an animal. The hind legs of the mechanical roping practice apparatus are generally roped or lassoed when the hind leg or legs are moving along a forward portion of the arc of movement, during a hop, until the rear legs are perpendicular to the ground as the legs move forward. Even when it is possible to rope the hind legs at a position forward from the position at which the rear legs are perpendicular to the ground, it is not considered to be good roping technique. The present invention can be used for a wide variety of roping applications. While the examples herein are shown with a steer as an exemplary animal, many other animals for which roping practice may be sought are also encompassed by the present invention, such as but not limited to, bovine, ovine, equine, swine, which animals can be young or full grown. The present invention is shown using a steer as an example, and the present invention includes mechanical training devices for any animal for which roping practice is sought.

[0033] Unlike other known steer roping practice devices, in one embodiment the present invention provides a combination of movement of the legs along the ground and in the air, while at the same time mimicking the jumping motion of the steer. The present invention provides the indicia of when the proper roping technique is used by indicating the correct time to rope the hind leg or legs, and then turns off when the incorrect time for roping is indicated. Therefore, the user and observers of the roping practice can track if proper technique is applied, but also when the hind leg or legs are roped, reflecting incorrect roping technique.

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a mechanical roping steer apparatus 10 of the present invention in a first position at the end of a stride and the internal mechanisms therein. The body 12 of the mechanical roping steer apparatus 10 may include, e.g., the rest of the body of the steer such as horns and optionally front legs (not depicted). The mechanical roping steer apparatus 10 can include a tow bar 14 and a wheel or wheels 16. The wheel or wheels 16 are connected via a belt 18 to a pulley system 20. The wheel or wheels 16, belt 18, and pulley system 20 further control both the up and down motion of the body 12 along frame 24 of the steer via pivot 22, but also the motion via pivot 26 of the hind leg member or leg members 28. During this portion of the jump and leg extension cycle, the lights 30 are in the on position, which indicates to the user that this is the proper time to rope the hind leg member or leg members 28 if following proper roping technique.

[0035] The indicium shown in the figures is light, however, the skilled artisan will recognize that sound or vibration may also be used as one of the indicia, which indicia are not mutually exclusive, that is, more than one indicium may be used at the same and/or different times. Any variation of the same is encompassed by the present invention, as are various positions (for visual cues) for the indicium. If using sound, for example, the sound can be varied to indicate the proper time to rope the hind leg member or leg members 28, such as using a tone that changes pitch, intermittent sound that indicates with an increase in pitch or volume, or the presence or absence of sound, or any combination thereof, to indicate to the user when is the best time in the cycle to rope the hind leg member or leg members 28. The volume of the sound and/or intensity or rate of intermittent sound may be used to indicate to the user when the proper time is approaching, during the duration of the proper roping time, when the time is ending, and when it is not proper technique to rope. Likewise, the light or visual cue can be varied in similar manner, e.g., with the lights on or off, with a change in the rate of blinking of the light(s), by having a red (no-go) versus green (go), or even a spectrum of color and/or intensity to indicate to the user when the proper time is approaching, during the duration of the proper roping time, when the time is ending, and when it is not proper technique to rope. An example of a visual cue includes an indicator that has up or down arrows, a flag, a wheel with one color for go and another for stop, stop and go signaling, or other indicator whether mechanical or in the form of a light (or both light and mechanical) that can be seen by the user during roping practice. Another indicium is vibration, which could be a device carried or worn by the user (non-limiting examples including a smartphone, a smartwatch, and/or other dedicated device) that provide the user with vibration that indicates to the user when the proper time is approaching, during the duration of the proper roping time, when the time is ending, and when it is not proper technique to rope.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a mechanical roping steer apparatus 10 of the present invention in a second position as the steer apparatus is jumping and the hind leg member or leg members 28 are moving toward the forward position and showing the lights 30 on until the legs reach the point in the cycle when it is improper technique to rope the hind leg member or leg members 28.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a mechanical roping steer apparatus 10 of the present invention in a third position with the hip halfway down and the legs are all the way forward, that is, when the hind leg member or leg members 28 are in the forward position and the frame 24 has brought the hind leg member or leg members 28 in contact with the ground and roping is not proper and/or possible.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a mechanical roping steer apparatus 10 of the present invention in a fourth position where the hip 26 is all the way down and the hind leg member or leg members 28 are mid stride moving from front to back.

[0039] When viewed together, FIGS. 1 to 4 show that as the mechanical roping steer apparatus 10 is towed the wheel or wheels 16 turn the belt 18, which turns the pulley system 20. Two arms 32, 34 are attached to the pulley system 20 and one arm 32 makes legs travel forward/backwards and the other arm 34 makes the hip 26 move up/down. The mechanical roping steer apparatus 10 pivots in the middle (pivot 22) of the frame 24.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a detailed side view of one implementation of the pulley system 20 for controlling the indicia, e.g., lights 30 of the present invention. A light switch 58 is triggered by the quarter circle plate 56 on pulley system 20 about a pivot 52, that is on a wheel 54. The wheel 54 can be connected to an arm 57 that transfers motion to other parts of the mechanical roping steer apparatus, such as the pivot that provides for an up and down motion for the mechanical roping steer apparatus that simulates jumping. The indicia in the hind leg or legs come on with hind leg or legs in the fully extended rear position and/or until the top of the hop with hind leg or legs straight down (perpendicular to the ground), at which point the indicia is reduced to zero or eliminated. For example, lights can be located on any part of the hind leg or legs or even the hip, anywhere on the mechanical roping steer apparatus, the horns, the wheels, the tow bar, or even the device pulling the mechanical roping steer apparatus. Generally, the lights will be located in a location that permits the user to best determine the optimal position of the hind leg or legs for roping, e.g., from hock to ankle of leg, the feet, on our about the lower, middle, upper portion of the hind leg or legs.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a rear view of a mechanical roping steer apparatus 60 of the present invention showing a mechanism for increasing the stability of the mechanical roping steer. The mechanical roping steer apparatus 60 depicted is shown from a rear view and includes, in this embodiment, six wheels 62a-62f. It has been found that having more than two wheels provides for increased stability. For example, the mechanical roping steer apparatus 60 can include 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or even 10 wheels or more, which wheels can be evenly distributed between the right and left side of the mechanical roping steer apparatus 60, or unevenly distributed to provide more stability to one or the other side. It has been found that the mechanical roping steer apparatus makes the sharpest corners, as would a normal animal, using the extended tire design, e.g., the 6 tire design. It was found that the mechanical roping steer apparatus has a lot more traction throughout the corner. It was further found that when the mechanical roping steer apparatus tilts one way or the other, one tire is always in contact with the ground and prevents the hop from stalling throughout the corner.

[0042] A mechanical roping apparatus according to the present invention may have one or more lights to provide a focal point, instead of or in addition to the lights 30.

[0043] A method for practicing animal roping according to the present invention uses a mechanical roping apparatus with an animal assembly 12, a leg assembly mounted on the animal assembly 12 and including leg members 28 that are movable with respect to the animal assembly 12 to simulate a running motion, an actuation assembly configured to move the leg members 28 from a forward position when the leg members 28 touch the ground, during a stride such that the leg members 28 are in contact with the ground until they reach a rear facing position and the leg members 28 are raised from the ground and kick; and the leg members 28 are off the ground from the rear position to the front position.

[0044] A mechanical roping apparatus for practicing roping of a steer according to the present invention may include a stand 80, a leg assembly attached to or integral with the stand 80 and including leg members 28 that are movable with respect to the stand 80 to simulate a running motion; and an actuation assembly configured to move the leg members 28 from a forward position when the leg members 28 touch the ground, during a stride such that the leg members 28 are in contact with the ground until they reach a rear facing position and the leg members 28 are raised from the ground and kick; and the leg members 28 are off the ground from the rear position to the front position.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a side view of still another mechanical roping apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the mechanical roping apparatus 70 includes two skids, skid 72a (shown) and another skid (not shown); the animal assembly 74; which has a front, a rear, and a frame 76, and to which the skids are attached or with which the skids are integral; the tow bar 14, which is attached to or integral with the animal assembly 74, and the leg members 28, which are attached to or integral with the animal assembly 74 with optional indicia as described elsewhere herein such as optional lights 30. The optional body 12 of the mechanical roping apparatus 80 may include, e.g., the rest of the body of the steer, removable and rotatable horns at the front of the animal assembly allowing for different horn sizes, shapes, and angles and optionally front legs (not depicted).

[0046] FIG. 8 is a side view of yet another mechanical roping apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 8, mechanical roping apparatus 80 includes a stand 82 and leg members 28 attached to or integral with on the stand 82 with, optional indicia as described elsewhere herein such as optional lights 30. The stand 82 can be in any configuration that is stable with the leg members 28 attached to or integral with the stand 82. The optional body 12 (not shown) of the mechanical roping apparatus 80 may include, e.g., the rest of the body of the steer, removable and rotatable horns at the front of the animal assembly allowing for different horn sizes, shapes, and angles and optionally front legs (not depicted).

[0047] An embodiment of the present invention comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a mechanical roping apparatus for practicing animal roping, the apparatus comprising: an animal assembly comprising a front, a rear, a frame, and a pivot that provides an up and down motion at the rear of the animal assembly to simulate a hopping motion by an animal; a leg assembly mounted at the rear of the frame and including leg members that are movable with respect to the frame to simulate a running motion; and an actuation assembly configured to move the leg members from a forward position when the leg members touch the ground, during a stride such that the leg members are in contact with the ground until they reach a rear facing position and the leg members are raised from the ground and kick; and the leg members are off the ground from the rear position to the front position.

[0048] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a method for practicing animal roping comprising: providing a mechanical roping apparatus, the mechanical roping apparatus comprising: an animal assembly comprising: a front, a rear, a frame, and a pivot that provides an up and down motion at the rear of the frame to simulate a hopping motion by an animal; a leg assembly mounted at the rear of the frame and including one or more leg members that are movable with respect to the animal assembly to simulate a running motion; and an actuation assembly configured to move the leg members from a forward position when the leg members touch the ground, during a stride such that the leg members are in contact with the ground until they reach a rear facing position and the leg members are raised from the ground and kick; and the leg members are off the ground from the rear position to the front position; pulling the animal assembly to simulate the running motion of the animal; and operating the actuation assembly.

[0049] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a mechanical roping apparatus for practicing roping of an steer, the apparatus comprising: a steer assembly comprising a front, a rear, a frame, and a pivot that provides an up and down motion at the rear of the steer assembly to simulate a hopping motion by a steer; a leg assembly mounted at the rear of the frame and including leg members that are movable with respect to the frame to simulate a running motion; an actuation assembly configured to move the leg members from a forward position when the leg members touch the ground, during a stride such that the leg members are in contact with the ground until they reach a rear facing position and the leg members are raised from the ground and kick; and the leg members are off the ground from the rear position to the front position; and a wheel assembly positioned at the front of the animal assembly in contact with the ground, and 2, 3, or 4 or more wheels are positioned to the right, left, or both of a longitudinal centerline of the steer assembly.

[0050] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a mechanical roping apparatus for practicing animal roping, the apparatus comprising: a stand; a leg assembly mounted on the stand and including leg members that are movable with respect to the stand to simulate a running motion; and stand and including leg members that are movable with respect to the stand to simulate a running motion; and an actuation assembly configured to move the leg members from a forward position when the leg members touch the ground, during a stride such that the leg members are in contact with the ground until they reach a rear facing position and the leg members are raised from the ground and kick; and the leg members are off the ground from the rear position to the front position.

[0051] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a an animal assembly comprising a front, a rear, and a frame; a leg assembly mounted at the rear of the frame and including leg members; and 2, 3, or 4 or more wheels or skids positioned to the right, left, or both of a longitudinal centerline of the animal assembly.

[0052] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a stand; and a leg assembly mounted on the stand and including leg members.

[0053] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a method for practicing animal roping comprising: an animal assembly comprising a front, a rear, and a frame; a leg assembly mounted at the rear of the frame and including animal assembly leg members; and 2, 3, or 4 or more wheels or skids positioned to the right, left, or both of a longitudinal centerline of the animal assembly; or a stand and a leg assembly mounted on the stand and including stand leg members; and practicing roping the animal assembly leg members or the stand leg members.

[0054] It is contemplated that any embodiment discussed in this specification can be implemented with respect to any method, kit, reagent, or composition of the invention, and vice versa. Furthermore, compositions of the invention can be used to achieve methods of the invention.

[0055] It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

[0056] All publications and patent applications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the level of skill of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0057] The use of the word a or an when used in conjunction with the term comprising in the claims and/or the specification may mean one, but it is also consistent with the meaning of one or more, at least one, and one or more than one. The use of the term or in the claims is used to mean and/or unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and and/or. Throughout this application, the term about is used to indicate that a value includes the inherent variation of error for the device, the method being employed to determine the value, or the variation that exists among the study subjects.

[0058] As used in this specification and claim(s), the words comprising (and any form of comprising, such as comprise and comprises), having (and any form of having, such as have and has), including (and any form of including, such as includes and include) or containing (and any form of containing, such as contains and contain) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. In embodiments of any of the compositions and methods provided herein, comprising may be replaced with consisting essentially of or consisting of. As used herein, the phrase consisting essentially of requires the specified integer(s) or steps as well as those that do not materially affect the character or function of the claimed invention. As used herein, the term consisting is used to indicate the presence of the recited integer (e.g., a feature, an element, a characteristic, a property, a method/process step or a limitation) or group of integers (e.g., feature(s), element(s), characteristic(s), propertie(s), method/process steps or limitation(s)) only.

[0059] The term or combinations thereof as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the listed items preceding the term. For example, A, B, C, or combinations thereof is intended to include at least one of: A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and if order is important in a particular context, also BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB. Continuing with this example, expressly included are combinations that contain repeats of one or more item or term, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, and so forth. The skilled artisan will understand that typically there is no limit on the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise apparent from the context.

[0060] As used herein, words of approximation such as, without limitation, about, substantial or substantially refers to a condition that when so modified is understood to not necessarily be absolute or perfect but would be considered close enough to those of ordinary skill in the art to warrant designating the condition as being present. The extent to which the description may vary will depend on how great a change can be instituted and still have one of ordinary skilled in the art recognize the modified feature as still having the required characteristics and capabilities of the unmodified feature. In general, but subject to the preceding discussion, a numerical value herein that is modified by a word of approximation such as about may vary from the stated value by at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 or 15%.

[0061] All of the apparatuses and/or methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and/or methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.