IES87152B2 - Scrum bag training apparatus with sensing technology - Google Patents

Abstract

A scrum bag training apparatus has a frame structure with four pillars and three cavity areas comprising of all-weather PVC that covers the internal foam material to allow indoor and outdoor use. Tie-downs can be used for attaching the apparatus to a fixture and a handle is located on each side for transporting the scrum bag and for the players to grip onto during training. Detachable mirrors attached to the rear of the scrum bag allow players to see their back position on entering the scrum. Sensor technology is embedded into the four pillars for measuring the force of each front-row player that exerts pressure onto the scrum bag. These sensors are connected to a computer and force values are measured and displayed electronically via a computer screen. Three laser lights are located at the top of each cavity, monitoring the level correctness of the back arch entering the scrummaging position.

Description

Title Scrum bag training apparatus with sensirg techrology Field of the Invention The present invention relates to scrum machines and tackling bags, used in trainéng rugby football players for developing the practice of scr-Jmmaging.

Ba_¢:ltground to the Invention A scrum machine: or scrummaging machine, is a padded, weighty device against which a pack of rugby rootball forwards can practice scrurnmaging and rucking. The purpose of the scrum machine is to provide teams with a safe tool with which to improve he strength and skills of their players. The ideal engagement of a pack into a scrum is a simultaneous movement in the hit. shunt and drive. It is the instantaneous force exerted that makes the difference, not the sum of all the forces over time. Even smalf packs that coordinate in this fashion and hit ‘on the beat’ can controi their scrums consistently.

Types of scrurwnaging machines The most common scrummaging machines are either of the sled or the roller type such as those described in US Patent No. 5.743.821 and United Kingdom patent applimtions 2,276,091 and 2.0S2,2?2. However. there are others. often for specific purposes or nocds.

- Bespoke - numerous homemade scrum machines are in use. 0 Indoon o C-ne-man - against which forwards. rather than a pack; can practice their scrum skiils.

. Portame - often abled to be folded down, and with a container on the back which can be filled with sand or water to bolster weight.

- Trailer - which can be attached and detached from a vehicle.

These prior art schemes have limitations for developing scrummaging skifls in underage players.

?‘.| H ‘vs ith scrummaqing machines First and foremost. scrum machines are expeqsive, they are beyond the budget of most clubs and if they have possessed one. they are us.lally kept for senior players. They are spec-frcally des gned for scnior adult players: so [or undcrago players they are not suitable. Althrugh. one can adjust the weights (usually by adding extra coaches] lo the actual machine and occas onally the pads are adjustable. the lacl remains twat Tiany scrum machi1es are not really suitable for underage junior pIaye’s.

Since scrum rrachines a'e used essentially by senior olayers, underage players love to try and use them. frequently with no supervision or t'aining. They a°e confused then. when on contact wit’! the machines that hey cannot move them similarly to the way they see senior players do it.

Dsadvahtages of existing SC'.llTI machines 0 Too heavy. 0 Wrong size. 0 Coach cannot see what is hapoening as front row engage with the pads.

- Distance between bind, is fixed and designed for senior p ayers.

I Expensive. - lmpossiole to observe if from three players are angled correctly. o Difficult to improve technique.

This present invention overcomes the problems of scrummaging macnines part cularly for underage junior p ayers. The solulion enables youflg players to improve their sorurnmaging techniques in a safe envi'onme'it Jsing an innovative so’-um bag apparatas comolned with technology. This 8C|’Ufl' U89 aims to reduce the a'no.Jnt of injuries haopenirlg in a serum by improving the teshniqae of underage players learning the art of scrummaging. The size and shape of the serum bag along with he technology help coaches to better assess the problems that may be occurring win payers in the scrum. This scrum bag can also be used both indoors and outdoors and the height can as adjusted by the coaches holcing the side straps aopropriale to the age and profile of the players. f the invention This present invention relates to rugby football training machines and it particularly re.ates to such machires that can be used tor scru’n trahéng and to establish good scrummaging habits in underage junior players F0’ scrum training. a machine or apparatus was to mimic the front row spacing between the loose head pop. the tight-head prop and the hooker. Conventional tackle 0' scrum machines are not suitable for underage players, the machines have snaci-‘lg oetween positions for adults and are not adjustable. the height whilst adjustable does not allow for underage players and does not provide feedbac-< for re-entry height. entry force. tming of engagement and more importantly back position. In the past coaches were seen to swing a brush handle over the backs of players 0 an effort to encourage them to arch their back correctly.

The scrum bag t'aining apparatus is ideal for yoang players as it has a unique shape for develnrting scrummaging skills The bag is formed from padded foam similar to that used in tackling bags and covered by an ail-weather material. The bag shape forms four square-like pillars and three cavity a'eas to support he front three players it a scrum. The players form a scrummaging position and peace their heads into the each of the cavity areas while exerting pressure on each the four oillars. This scrum bag training apparatus is lightweight and portable which alows coaches to view the performance of Jnderage scrummaging techniques in a safe environment. Additionally. the scrum bag has access to other useful features to assist coaches in developing scrummaging s-sills.

In a further aspect of the invention, the'e is a small detachable plastic mirror attached to the scrum sag located at Me rear of each cav ty area. This is to enable each player to learn to look up as they engage the scrum. thus keeping their back straight and correctly positioned in order to assist the players to acqu "re correct scrummaging techniques.

In a further aspect of the invention. force sensors are embedded into the scrum bag ‘cam maherial positioned into each of the four pillars and connected to a battery-powcrcd comouter. The computer program tracks the force for each of the three front row players hitting the bag a1d can identify if each of the players are striking the bag simultaneously and if the aoplied ‘orce is consistent. The compdter program also 'evea|s whether a scrum is angled left a’ right deoending on he sensor readings. Furthermore. a simple display mechanism informs coaches if the contained exe'ted force of the th°ee fnowt-row scrum players is low. medium or high In a further aspect of the invention. three laser LED lights are connected to a battery-powered on and off switch which are located at the top of each cavity area or the scrum bag to determine if player's backs are correctly arched on entry into the scrum machine The laser ights can be switched on or off by the coaches or by detection of force being appiied by the three front-row players and if the lasers are visible on any or all of the three scrummaging player's back positions, then this confirms an incorrect entry pos tion.

Features a Uniquely shaped scrum bag — he bag is suitable for underage players to learn how to scrummaga properly and to be able to use it in all conditions inc uding outdoors as the bag is wate roroof. o Handles and tie downs [for attaching to a wal or fixture) - this scrum dag is rreant to be carried by two coaches on either side of the oag by the slrapsihandles. The bag can a so be fastened to a wall 0' oerma-tent fixture using the tie-down straps attached on the bag. three on top and three on the bottom. a Detachable mirrors at back of scrum dag - there are three mirro'$ attached to the rear of the sc°um bag located at the top of eam cavity. This feature is used to give feedback to the players to inform Hem that their backs must be straight. 0 Electronic measurement and dispiay - there is a sensor in each pillar of the bag that can detect the force that is being put on the bag by the from three scrum payers. A measurement is rnade by the four sensors which are convened by the computer board itto a digit value of 0 to 9 which is shown on the display. There are also three LED lights that show the combined toroe ol the sensors inlio either a green, yel ow or red light. Both of these featues assist coaches in assessing the scrum to 'rnprove tl‘e techniques of players as a unit. o Laser LED lights - there are three laser light emitting devices [LEDS} embedded into the front of the scrum bag at the top of each cavity area twat can be turned on and off to assess if the front-row players back are properly arched during scrum training.

Advantages - An innovative scrum bag shape that helps underage players learns the basic skills and techniques of scrummaging saieiy while also help ng the players to avoid serious injuries.

- The scrum bag uses waterpeol material that allows the oag to be used outdoors as well as indoors. o The scrum bag ncludes rn rno's at the rear of the scrum bag so that players can view and maintain their body shape safely during the scrum time. o The scrum bag uses techno ogy to help coaches teach underage players the at of scrummaging safely. o The scrum bag nclu des electronic technology that has sensors embed tied into the bag material for measuring the torce and timing of players hitting tl'e bag as it they were in a real scrum. o The tecnnology uses computer hardsvae design and a p'og.'am to measure the player's performance in a scrum and to display the readings for the ¢030he6. 0 The scrum bag display incI.rdes colour lights and a 4-digit display unit to monitor the players performance - measuring the combned sensor force levels that are low, medium and hlgh at the front end of the serum as well as a disp’ay value of the force from 3-9 for each of the four pillars it the bag.

The scrum bag uses three LED laser lights to assess the front-row players‘ back straightness on scrum entry.

There is also provided a computer program comprising program instructions for causing a computer program to carry out the above method which may be embodied on a record medium. carrier signal or read-only memory.

Brief Descrigion of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description or a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. in which: Fig.1 is a diagrammatic representation of apparatus according to the invention for scrum bag ma chine with embedded technology.

Fig.2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Figs is a back (rear) elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. 1: Fig.4 is the side elevational view (left and right} of the apparatus of Fig. 1. and Fig. 5 is a tlowcqart for the computer program to measure and display force being applied to each square-like pillar of the apparatus in Fig .1 from the sensors embedded into the scrum bag in Fig 2.

Detailed Description of the Drawingg Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated scrum bag apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 in Fig. 1, and in this elnbodiment of the invention for training and deveioping underage junior players In the art of scrummaglng. The serum bag apparatus 10 comprises of all-weather tough PVC rnalerial that encompasses the internal scrum bag foam material torming a unique shaped bag. The apparatus 10 shape comprises of 2|.‘ four square-|i and 43.

In one embodiment. the serum oag tro ning app:t'at.ts 10 inc udes te-downs 13:) tor atta:h‘ng to a wet or “xure 91:! a webbed handle 120 located on each 3:13 11 and 12 of he aopavatus 10 as a means or t-ansport ng the scrum bag apparatus and for tne scrum players to gr p onto during scrum tra'ning.

Refe"'ng in oart ou'ar to Fig 2. the front view 13 ofthe scrum bag aopa°atu3 10 is shown. Eacn of he fo.ir square-.i highlghted. '1 a f.trthe' embodiment and nte"Ia' to he each of the four oillers fo°ce measurhg senso's 142) 141. 142 and 143 are embedded .1 the sc'.1'n sag foam material to enable the presstre of eaoh of the ttvee Pom scxtmmaging oleyers to oe measured by the battery-powered co'npute' 100 and disp eyed on device 90 snown in F9. 1. These sensors are physicaly oonnected oy wirhg to he comoute* device 130 Reterrhg n oartist. ar to Fig. 1 and Fig 2 and in 3 st II further e*n::odime'1t he scrum bag aoparatas 1:) comprises of thee C0|I>.l|’9d -ED ights 91. 92 and 93 to nd Cate he ow. 'ne:!i.Im or h 91 Ieve of s mtttaneous force apoied to the bag 'neasu'e:i oy the force sensors 140. 141 142 and 143 connected to the co'n3ute' device 100.

Referring in oarticu air to ‘i9. 2 and In a farther oreterned embed merit. th’ee LEDlaser ights 112). 111 and 112 are emoedded above each cavity area 20. 33 and 40 of the scru'n bag apparatus 10 and ohys cally connected to a batte'y- powered oower on and off switzn 105 andtor to the computer device 100 (in Fig 1] to determine it the back-level correcness of the scum p ayes is st*aight on entemg the appa'atu310.

Iteferring n paniou ar to Fig. 3. t1erea' view 14 of the scru*n bag apparatus 10 is sfiown. The rear-view 14 of the aoparatue I3 snows the four square-.i veiical oiIa's SD, 62). 70 and 82). In a stl f.trthe' embodiment and at the top of 8 each of the 3 cavity areas 20. 33 and 40 there co'r|uti5°-:5 three detachaale pastic mir'ors 150. 151 and ’t>2 curtrrected oy stitched 'nate°ia 16'.) I51 and 162 to the apparatus 10. These rnirrcrs can se used by each of the o|aye's so twat they can view and 11a nta n the r body shape safely d.iri1g scrum t'ai1ing.

Referrifig In cart cu ar to Fig 4. the side stews 11 and I2 of the scrtrn bag apparatus 10 is shown. A means to’ t'ansa:>'ti'ig the scrtm sag comorises a weboezt handle 120 located on each side 11 and 12 of the a:>pa'at.ts II).

Referrifig n oarticu at to F g. 5. the co.'n:Jute' device 100 and dispiay dev;ce 90 uses the compute’ program raw Pustrated to measure he force from each or the senses Al'te' seliaratim of each of the sensor readings a vane It‘-9 is used to ‘nfor'n users of the specfc force valae ceiwg spp'ied Co|o.tred LED Ig1ts 91 92 and 93 a'e also used to determ ne if he comb ned wits ofthe three f’O'1tl’0W 0 ayes a'e 'ow medium or good dependiwg on the cumulative ua ue of each sensor reading. lhe embodrnents i1 the mention described wth rel‘e'ence to the dawings comrise a scam bag mach he and a cornauter apparaus andfor p'ocesses performed l'1 a compute‘ apparatus. Howeue‘. the i°we'1tori also extends to czmouter pr:>gra'ns. particularly c:>*n:>ute' p'og'ams sto'ed on o’ in a carrier adapted to b’ ng the i'we1tIon into ptactice. The orog°am may be n the form of source code object code or a code intemed ate source and object code sum as in part ally czrnoled fo"n or i1 any other torn sutaoe fo' use in the mo ehentaticn of the methcd accord rig to the nvention. The carrier my comp’ se ‘:1 storage medium such as ROVI e g CD ROM. or magnetic recording medium. e.g. a memory st ck or hard d'sk. The ca’rie° may be an e|ect"ca or optical signs wh'ch may be transmitted via an electrical or an cptica cable or by ad 0 or other means In the spec tication the terms "comprise. comohses. comprised and compris ng" or any va'iati0n thereof and the terms i1c|.tde inc udes. W-‘-|Ud9d Md "GU31 nQ' or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all he aifo rded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments Iteneinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (5)

Claims

1. A scrum bag training apparatus com prising: a frame structure (10) formed by foam material. 5 wherein tl‘e frame structure forms four vertical pillars (50. 60, ?O_. 80) and three cavity areas [20, 30, 40) between them, wherein the frame structure (10) s covered in strong all-weather material to allow use both indoors and outdoors; to handle straps {120) located on both sides (11. 12] of the frame structure [10] to allow ease of transport and grip for users during training; tie-downs (130) located at various positions along the top and bottom of the frame structure to allow attachment to a wall or flxtu re.

2. A scrum bag training apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: mirrors {1 50, 151, 1 512 ,1 rletacha bly mou met by stitched material (160, 161 , 162} to the rear side { 14] of the frame structure (101 20

3. A scrum bag training apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising: to rce measuring sensors (140, 141 , 142, 14-3), embedded in the vertical pillar sections, mounted on the front side [13] of the frame structure, these sensors being con nected to a computer device {100} to allow recording of the measure of pressure exerted by the players. 21> wherein the computer device contains an electronic display [90] positioned on the top of the home structure to show the measurement of pressure in numerical fashion, wherein the computer device also contains coloured LED lights (91, 92, 93 J to 30 indicate the measurement of low, medium, and high pressure in visua fashion, wherein the computer device contains a computer pnog ram which takes in the data from the force measuring sensors and outputs the readings in the numerical or visual fashion, 11 wherein the computer program can, at least, record the time of the hit in relation to each playor and can record tho angular lovol of tho scrurnmaging players. 5

4. A scrum bag training apparatus as claimod in claim 3, further compfising: three LED laser lghts (110, 111, 112} embedded above the cavity areas (20, 30, 40) on the front side (13) of the frame structure. connected to a battery powered on.°'off switch (105; to indicate beck-level correctness of players using the apparatus. wherein optimally the LED laser lights (110, ‘I11. 112] may be connected to 10 the computer device (100) for further data record ng and display.

5. A scrum bag training apparatus as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1')