US3659848A

US3659848A - Mobile tackling dummy

Info

Publication number: US3659848A
Application number: US832199A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas N Depew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-06-11
Filing date: 1969-06-11
Publication date: 1972-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 1989-05-02

Abstract

A mobile tackling dummy comprising an elongated overhead support for a track, a trolley adapted for reciprocal movement along said track, a tackling dummy suspended from said trolley for movement therewith, means for effecting detachment of said dummy from said trolley upon engagement of the dummy by an individual during usage, and means for controlling the movement of said trolley to allow for reciprocal travel of said dummy and for optional starting and stopping thereof during its course of movement.

Description

United States Patent 1151 3,659,848 DePew 1 May 2, 1972 54] MOBILE TACKLING DUMMY 3,471,153 10/1969 Baumler ..273/105.2 [72] Inventor: Thomas N. DePew, 10 N. Sunningdale FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS Drive, St Louis County, Mo. 63124 240,652 6/1925 Great Britain ..273/29.1 22 Filed: June 11, 1969 [52] US. Cl. ..273/55 R [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 67/00 [58] Field ofSear-ch ...273/55, 105.2, 29.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,466,954 4/1949 King ..273/55 A 668,219 2/1901 Rock ....273/105.2 2,532,880 12/1950 Banbury ..273/55 3,089,703 5/1963 Wolverton et a1. ....273/l05.2 3,140,874 7/1964 Jensen et a1. ..273/105.2 3,324,832 3/1967 McCain ..273/105.2 X

["ll V Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Assistant ExaminerTheatrice Brown Attorney-Ralph W. Kalish 5 7] ABSTRACT A mobile tackling dummy comprising an elongated overhead support for a track, a trolley adapted for reciprocal movement along said track, a tackling dummy suspended from said trolley for movement therewith, means for effecting detachment of said dummy from said trolley upon engagement of the dummy by an individual during usage, and means for controlling the movement of said trolley to allow for reciprocal travel of said dummy and for optional starting and stopping thereof during its course of movement.

3 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR THOMAS N. DEPEW ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,848

8 Sheets-Sheet 5 THOMAS N. DE PEW ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR THOMAS N. DEPEW ATTORNEY N 01 mw may NW INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 \\\illl wv N. N49: oh. 9% a. ...L

THOMAS N. DEPEW Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,848

8 Sheets-Sheet 6 /07 POWER m SOURCU INVENTOR THOMAS N. DEPEW BY Q? W ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1972 3,659,848

8 Sheets-Sheet '7 INVENTOR THOMAS N. DEPEW BY Qw v. KM

ATTOR NEY Patented May 2, 1972 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOIR THOMAS N. DEPEW BY @f KM ATTOR NEY BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION This invention relates in general to targets and, more particularly, to a tackling dummy adapted for mobility.

Heretofore, for the purpose of instructing football players in the art of tackling there have been widely utilized tackling dummies suspended by a cable trained over a pulley fixed to a suitable support, such as a crossbeam. The impact of the player upon the dummy would cause the latter to be lowered to the ground so as to suitably give under the forceful engagement. Upon release by the player the dummy would then be freed to be returned upwardly into initial position by means of the cable.

Such dummies were of a stationary nature and thus, did not simulate the actions of a ball carrier under game conditions. Current dummies offer but extremely elementary instruction in tackling.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a tackling dummy adapted for mobility simulating the movement of a ball carrying player during a game.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobile tackling dummy which is detachably engaged to a support as to allow for disengagement of the dummy from its support upon proper tackling by a player whereby the dummy may be driven to the ground thereby permitting proper completion of the tackling act.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tackling dummy of the character stated which incorporates means for permitting optional stopping and starting of the dummy during its course of travel thereby imitating in a most realistic fashion evasive tactics of a ball carrier.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a tackling dummy of the type stated embodying a support structure permitting access to the dummy from a multiplicity of angles of attack during its movement thereby enhancing the realism afforded as well as conducing to maximum instructional benefits for the players.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mobile tackling dummy which is durable and reliable in operation being thus resistant to breakdown by continuous, hard usage; which is sturdy yet economical in construction; and the use of which promotes the development of tackling skills in a player without entailing the use of live runners with the attendant hazard ofinjury.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile tackling dummy constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention illustrating the dummy at a point during operation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged side view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged elevational view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a vertical section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a vertical side view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 1 1.

FIG. 13 is a wiring diagram.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a mobile tackling dummy constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention but illustrating another form of support structure.

FIG. 15 is a vertical end view taken on the line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now by reference characters to the drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, A generally designates a support frame for a tackling dummy, indicated T; said frame comprising an overhead truss 1 incorporating a pair of parallel, spaced apart, lattice girders 2, 2'; each of said latter embodying upper and lower beams 3, 4 and 3, 4, respectively, which beams are each constituted of a pair of angle members a, a having their horizontal flanges directed away from each other and with their vertical flanges being in confronting spaced relationship for reception therebetween of diagonally directed crosspieces 5 which are fabricated of rod stock and fixed, as by welding, to the adjacent angle members a, a. Rigid with the horizontal flanges of beams 3, 3 and 4, 4' at one end of truss 1 are upper and

lower plates

6, 7, respectively, having aligned openings 8 for extension therethrough of the upper end of a column 9. Mounted on column 9 is a collar 10 for abutment with the underface of plate 7 thereby maintaining truss 1 in predetermined relationship with column 9, while allowing said truss 1 to be swingable thereabout, if desired. Column 9 is stabilized in position as by means of its lower end being embedded within a concrete base, indicated 11, within the ground. At its end remote from column 9, truss 1 is supported upon a crossbeam 12 mounted at its ends upon uprights 13, 13; there being suitable bracing, as at 14, for rigidifying purposes.

Girders

2, 2 of truss l are further integrated by a plurality of cross-plates 15 presented transversely of truss l spacedly throughout its length and being rigid with the downwardly directed surfaces of angle a, a of lower beams 4, 4. Extending between the two cross-plates l5 nearest column 9 is a pair of narrow, mounting bars 16, 16' which are axially parallel with

girders

2, 2, being located between the same, in respective adjacency thereto. Bars 16, 16' provide a mounting for a cable drive system, indicated broadly C, comprising a prime mover 17 having a drive shaft 18 extending axially parallel with truss l in a direction toward the end thereof remote from column 9. Said drive shaft 18 spacedly from prime mover 17 is received within a gear box 19. Carried on drive shaft 18 intermediate gear box 19 and prime mover 17 is a brake drum or fly wheel 20, on opposed sides of the peripheral surface of which are addressed brake shoes 21, 21'; which latter are adapted for operation by a solenoid switch 22 for movement into, and from, braking engagement with brake drum 20 for purposes presently appearing. Prime mover 17 is of reversible character so that drive shaft 18 may be caused to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise.

Turning now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that within gear box 19 drive shaft 18 mounts a worm gear 23 which meshes with a pinion 24 keyed or otherwise carried upon a stub shaft 25 said latter being axially perpendicular to drive shaft 18 and extends laterally outwardly of gear box 19 toward girder 2. At its outer extremity stub shaft 25 is engaged to a disconnect handle 26, by operation of which stub shaft 25 may be axially displaced for optionally effecting disengagement of pinion 24 and worm gear 23. Mounted on stub shaft 25, exteriorly of gear box 19, is a sprocket 27 about which is engaged one end portion of an endless drive chain 28, which progresses in a direction away from column 9 for training about a driven sprocket 29 carried upon a cross-shaft 30, the ends of which extend through openings 31, 31' in depending support plates 32, 32' bolted to bars 16, 16', respectively, through upper horizontal flanges 33, 33'. The projecting ends .of said cross-shaft 30 are journalled within bearings 34, 34' fixed upon the outer faces of plates 32, 32' Also carried upon cross-shaft for rotation therewith is a relatively enlarged drive sprocket 35 about which is engaged one portion of an endless chain 36 which latter continues in a direction away from column 9 and axially parallel with truss 1 for training its opposite portion about a driven sprocket 37 engaged upon a cross-shaft 38 parallel to cross-shaft 30 and supported in a similar manner from bars 16, 16' by angle

shaped mounting plates

39, 39; the ends of said cross-shaft 38 being journalled in

bearings

40, 40 bolted or otherwise mounted upon the outwardly presented faces of mounting plates 39, 39'.

Substantially intermediate plates 39, 39' cross-shaft 38 carries a sheave or pulley 41 about which is received one end portion of an endless cable 42 which proceeds longitudinally of truss l for engagement about a sheave 43 located proximate cross-beam 12, which is fixed upon a shaft 44 the ends of the latter being journalled within pillow blocks 45, 45', each of which is secured upon a mounting plate 46, 46', respectively, bolted or otherwise secured to the

vertical flanges

47, 47, respectively, of angle members 48, 48', respectively, having horizontal flanges 49, 49'. Said flanges 49, 49' are rigid with a plate 50 welded to, or otherwise rigid with the adjacent portions of the horizontal flanges of the angles a, a constituting lower beams 4, 4'.

Suspended from cross-plates 15 and extending substantially the length of truss 1 from cable drive system C to cross-beam 12 is an overhead track 51 being fabricated from tubular stock of box cross section having a coextensive opening 52 in its bottom wall 53 to divide the latter into a pair of

tracks

54, 54' for receiving the rollers r of a pair of trolleys 55, 55' disposed in tandem within track 51 for movement reciprocally longitudinally thereof. Each trolley 55, 55' comprises a pair of side plates 56, 56' in immediate aligned parallel relationship and being drilled at their opposite ends for accommodating

axles

57, 57 which at their outer ends mount rollers r.

Each pair of

side plates

56, 56 are contoured substantially intermediate their length to cooperatingly define a sleevelike portion 58 for retaining the upper end of a depending stud 59 which is resistant against axial displacement by reason of an enlarged head 60 abutting the upper edge of sleeve 58 and a diametrally enlarged shoulder-forming portion 61 for contacting the bottom edge of said sleeve 58. At their lower ends spacedly downwardly of track 51 each stud 59 is externally threaded, as at 62, and extends through a tapped opening 63, provided in a horigontally disposed, flat, narrow mounting plate 64. Each stud 59 also passes through an aligned opening 67 formed in a flange 68 of an angulated arm 69 incorporating a downwardly projecting section 70. Said sections 70 embody mounting flanges 71 which are in spaced-apart, opposed relationship being provided with aligned openings, as at 72, through which pass the ends of a rod 73 which are threaded for receiving retaining nuts 74. Between said mounting flanges 71, rod 73 mounts a central sleeve 75 and a pair of spacers 76 for maintaining said sleeve in reliable centered position.

The lower projecting threaded ends of studs 59 carry washers 77 and nuts 78 for securely maintaining support 65 and angulated arms 69 in proper relationship with trolleys 55, 55' for travel therewith, for purposes appearing below. Engaged upon sleeve 75 is a quick release hanger 79 comprised of a pair of levers or arms 80, 80' each of which is of reversed curved character having a lower arcuate portion 81, 81' respectively, the chord of which is substantially 180 and an upper

curved portion

82, 82, respectively having a chord of substantially Said levers 80, 80' contain aligned apertures in the region common to their upper and lower arcuate portions, as to 83, for receiving sleeve 75. At their upper extremities upper

curved portions

82, 82 are contoured to present flattened, planar,

parallel bosses

84, 84 each being drilled to form aligned openings 85, 85', respectively, for receiving a rod 86 extending therebetween, in axially normal relationship to the longitudinal axis of truss 1. At one of its ends rod 86 is threaded for engaging an end nut n normally presented in substantial abutment with the outer face of

boss

84, 84. Rod 86 extends a relative distance beyond boss 84 for mounting a compression spring 88 which at its inner end bears against the outer face of boss 84 and at its outer end bears against an annular plate or washer 89 retained in position by an end nut 90. Spring 88 biases bosses 84, 84' toward each other or as to normally urge the lower extremities of levers 80, 80' toward each other or into abutting relationship, as can best be seen in FIG. 8. The said lower ends, as at 91, 91, of lower arcuate portions, are substantially narrowed so as to present minimal marginal faces for contactive relationship. Accordingly, as stated, said lower ends 91, 91' are in normal abutment under influence of spring 88. As will be shown below, levers 80, 80 are adapted for mutual swingable movement between operative, closed position as shown in FIG. 8 and open or released position when spring 88 is under compressive stress. Presented for suspension from the abutting ends of lower curved portions 81, 81' of release hanger 79 is a hook 92 swivelly carried upon the stem 93 of an eyelet-forming member 94 through which latter passes the loop 95 of a rope or the like 96 which is suitably engaged at its ends to the upper or shoulder-simulative zones of tackling dummy T. Said dummy is of conventional character as being fabricated of an interior requisite filler and an exterior of hard-wearing material such as canvas; there being a torso and leg portions.

Referring to FIG. 5, it will be seen that support 65 is cut away in the opposite ends of its flange 64, as at 97, 97 for accommodating connections to cable 42. Adjacent cut-away zone 97 flange 64 is provided with an opening 98 for extension therethrough of an end loop 99 in the adjacent portion of cable 42, while at its opposite end, proximate cut-away portion 97, flange 64 is drilled to present an aperture 100 for receiving a hook 101 carried at one end of a turnbuckle 102 which latter at its opposite end is engaged to the other portion of cable 42.

With reference now being made to FIGS. 1, 9 and 10 it will be seen that a limit switch 103 is suitably suspended from a cross-plate 15 in proximity to cable driven system C. Said switch 103 is of conventional form having a contact arm 104 presented for engagement with a cam plate c (FIGS. 6, 10) which depends from one side of mounting plate 64 and being curved inwardly at its ends as at e, f. Switch 103 is normally closed and embodies an actuator button 105 for operative engagement by said arm 104. Through a spring (not shown) arm 104 is urged away from button 105 and thus, within the path of travel of cam plate c.

A limit switch 128 which is of identical construction as limit switch 103, is provided proximate cross-beam 12 (FIG. 1) so that its arm 104 will be engaged by end e of cam plate c while switch 103 would be engaged by end f of the said cam plate during operation. The intervening portion of cam plate c thus determines the period within which a particular switch is maintained in open condition as the aforesaid ends e, f deflect the related arms 104 outwardly for switch opening purposes. Thus the said switches 103, 128 constitute the limits of travel of dummy T.

A similar limit switch (not shown except as indicated in the wiring diagram FIG. 13) is provided at the end of truss l proximate cross-beam 12 for like engagement with dummy T or its suspension means so as to determine its extent of travel toward said cross-beam 12.

In operation, prime mover 17 will be energized to cause cable 42 to travel longitudinally of truss 1 with its lower course carrying tackling dummy T and with its upper course travelling commensurately in the opposite direction by means of the motion transmitting means hereinabove described in conjunction with cable drive C. As tackling dummy T travels to and fro between the aforesaid limit switches the same constitutes a moving tackling target for a football player, as indicated at P, in FIG. 1. Thus, player P may approach dummy T on the run appropriately timing himself for forceful colliding with the dummy T. It will be seen that by virtue of the novel support structure for dummy T the same may be approached from either side of truss 1, giving player P experience at a laterally moving target as well as being approached through uprights 13, 13 allowing a head-on tackle. As player P tackles dummy T with the proper gripping of the same by the players arms and drives dummy T downwardly toward the ground, the applied force will exert a downward pull upon hook 92, overcoming the resistance of spring 88 of hanger 79 so as to cause a pivoting on hanger arms 80, 80' about sleeve 75 with consequent parting of the lower ends 91, 91'. By this action hook 92 will move through the created spacing between ends 91, 91' thereby freeing dummy T from its support to allow same to be carried to the ground by player P for completing the tackle. Immediately upon passage of hook 92 spring 88 will cause said hanger arms 80, 80' to be restored to initial position so that dummy T may be returned to suspended position for the next tackle, by engagement of hook 92.

The quick release characteristic of hanger 79 substantially eliminates the hazard of accidental injury to player P while permitting the added realism of permitting the target to be brought to the ground just as a ball carrier would be downed in the course of a game.

Referring now to FIG. 13, which is a diagram of the wiring system of the present invention, the precise operation thereof as well as additional features and attributes will become all the more apparent.

A pair of leads 106, 107 are connected to a convenient power source, with lead 106 being the so-called hot line and being connected to prime mover and motor at contact 108. A connector 109 extends between prime mover contact 108 and one side of solenoid switch 22 as at 110. The other side of solenoid switch 22 is connected by conductor 111 between contact 112 and prime mover contact 113. Line 107 is in circuit with

poles

114 and 115 of double-throw double-pole, normally open switches 116, 117, respectively; said

poles

114 and 115 being connected by lead 118. The

companion poles

119 and 120 of said

poles

114 and 115, respectively, are interconnected by a conductor 121 and pole 120 is in circuit with prime mover contact 113 by a conductive line 122.

Switch 116 embodies a second set of

poles

123, 124; while switch 117 also embodies a second set of poles, as indicated 125, 126. Pole 123 of switch 116 is connected by lead 127 to one side of normally closed limit switch 128; the other side of which latter is in circuit by conductor 129 with prime mover 17 a contact 130.

Poles

124 and 125 of switches 116 and 117, respectively, are interconnected by a lead 131 while said later pole 125 is connected to prime mover 17 at contact 132 by a lead 133. Pole 126 of switch 117 is connected to one side of normally closed limit switch 103 by conductor 134; said limit switch being in circuit with prime mover 17 by connector 135 which engages said prime mover 17 at contact 136.

As indicated hereinabove, limit switch 128 is of similar construction and function as limit switch 103 and is provided proximate cross-beam 12 for engaging plate 0 to determine its travel toward said cross-beam 12.

As suggested in FIG. 1, switches 116 and 117 may be embodied within a hand control 137 so as to render the system readily operable by an instructor who would have relative freedom of movement within the general area of tackling dummy T by reason of the length of the connecting cables.

In operation with dummy T at its starting position adjacent cable drive system C and with a player P poised for tackling dummy T, the instructor will depress switch 116 so as to thereby close the circuit to prime mover 17 at

contacts

108 and 113, common lead contact 132 and contact 130; it being remembered that prime mover 17 is reversible. With prime mover 17 so energized, solenoid switch 22 will also be energized causing

brake shoes

21, 21 to be in non-braking relationship with respect to drum 20. Thereupon dummy T will be caused to travel toward crossbeam 12 through consequent movement of cable 42. With dummy T so moving player P will attempt to engage same for effecting a tackle. If a tackle is made, dummy T will be immediately freed from its support by reason of the operation of quick release hanger 79 as described above. At that juncture the instructor may release switch 116 so as to thereby de energize prime mover 17 through consequent circuit opening at contacts 113 and thereon. Such action will cause concurrent de-energization of solenoid switch 22 whereby under influence of a spring, as indicated at s, said brake shoes 21, 21' will be brought into braking relationship with brake drum 20, to assure immediate stoppage of dummy T. The player P may then resuspend dummy T from its support so as to prevent same for the subsequent player. The operator may then depress switch 116 to permit dummy T to continue its travel toward crossbeam 12 for engagement with limit switch 128 whereby the circuit will be opened so as to de-energize prime mover 17 and cause operation of brake drum 20 in the manner above stated. Thereupon the instructor may depress the switch 117 so as to effect actuation of prime mover 17 through

contacts

108 and 113, common lead contact 132, and contact 136 whereby said prime mover 17 will be reversed for causing dummy T to move in return direction, that is away from cross-beam 12 and toward post 9. Unless stopped by the tackle of a player in the course of such movement, said dummy T will continue until engagement is made with limit switch 103 whereupon prime mover 17 will be stopped with concurrent operation of

brake shoes

21, 21 upon brake drum 20.

In view of the foregoing the circuitry is of relatively simple character, assuring reliability of operation while lending maximum control to the instructor. It is evident that the instructor or operator, as it were, manipulates switches 116 and 117 so as to effect a starting and stopping action as well as to bring about quick reversals of direction of travel thereby interjecting an element of surprise so that the player P must remain carefully attention; which simulates the concern a player in a game would experience in attempting to anticipate the maneuvering of an opponent. Although a double-throw double-pole switch has been shown other types of switch may be used with like effectiveness such as, for instance, a drum switch.

Referring now to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, B generally designates another form of support frame for tackling dummy T; said frame comprising an elongated overhead beam 138 of cylindrical tubular construction which at its ends is received within mounting sleeves 139, 139' of generally square cross section. Each of said

sleeves

139, 139 is provided with

parallel side portions

140, 140 the outer faces of which are in abutment with mounting

plates

141, 141 welded to the opposed upper ends of arch-forming

supports

142, 142. Said

plates

141, 141 are secured to the confronting side portions of sleeve 139, 139' by means of bolts, as indicated at 143, the inner ends of which are received within tapped bosses 144 provided internally of sleeve 139. The ends of beam 138 are provided with end caps 145. Each of said arch-forming

supports

142, 142 is provided with a vertical leg 146 which at its upper end is arcuated for presenting an upper horizontal portion 147. Said supports 142, 142 may be anchored at their lower ends as by base plates 148, which may be secured to a support surface, as being embodied within concrete. Said supports 142, 142' in addition to suitably stabilizing frame B present maximum spacing to allow a player P to approach dummy T from either end of frame B; thereby enhancing the versatility of the present invention for simulating game conditions.

Suspended from the undersurface of sleeve 139 and a mounting member 149, fixed to beam 138 spacedly from sleeve 139, are downwardly opening channel shaped sections 150, 151, respectively, for carrying in a conventional manner a frame indicated generally 152 for supporting a cable drive system C which is structurally and functionally identical with cable drive system C hereinabove described. Secured upon beam 138 spacedly throughout its extent, between cable drive system C and sleeve 139 is a plurality of hangers 153 each of which is of two-part construction having

identical components

154, 154 which are of general c-shaped contour for cooperatingly snug disposition about the exterior of beam 138; there being out-turned flanges, as at 155, at each end of said components 154, 154' having aligned apertures for receiving upper and lower bolts 156, 156', therein. Said components 154, 154' have an arcuate extent slightly less than half the circumference of beam 138 so that a normal spacing, as at 157, will be developed between confronting flanges 155. Supported from lower bolt 156' between the adjacent flanges 155 are upper ends of cooperating depending

elements

158, 158 which are contoured to embracingly receive track 51 (see FIG. 16). Thus hangers 153 provide a simple, readily assembled manner in which to support track 51 from overhead beam 138 thereby producing economies in production and installation without diminution in stability.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain by Letters Patent is:

1. A mobile target for promoting tackling proficiency comprising: a pair of spaced-apart support members; an elongate track member extending between said support member in elevated relationship to the support surface; a prime mover; target support means; motion transmitting means connecting said target support means and said prime mover for effecting travel of said target support means along said track; said target comprising a tackling dummy suspended from said target support means; said target support means comprising a quick disconnect member having a pair of pivoted arcuate arms; resilient means normally urging said arms toward each other for supporting said target; said resilient means being of such strength as to be overcome upon impact with said tackling dummy by a player so as to urge said arms away from each other for freeing said tackling dummy.

2. A mobile target for promoting tackling proficiency as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by said pair of arcuate arms having end portions; means pivotally mounting said arms intermediate their respective end portions; one end portion of each arm having an eyelet; an elongate rod member extending through each eyelet; said resilient means being presented on said rod member for normally urging the eyelet remote end portions of said arms into engaged position.

3. A mobile target for promoting tackling proficiency as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by each of said arms being of reversed character having a lower arcuate portion, the curvilinear extent of which is substantially 180, and an upper arcuate portion having a curvilinear extent of substantially each of said upper arcuate portions being flattened at their upper extremities to present planar parallel bosses, a rod being supported in said bosses and extending at one of its ends beyond one of said bosses, said resilient means provided on the extended end of said rod for bearing against the confronting face of the adjacent boss for urging said bosses toward each other, said arms being pivotally interengaged between their upper and lower arcuate portions whereby the bias of said resilient means will normally urge their lower extremities of said lower arcuate portions toward each other into tackling dummy supported relationship.

* i a a

Claims

3. A mobile target for promoting tackling proficiency as defined in claim 1 and further characterized by each of said arms being of reversed character having a lower arcuate portion, the curvilinear extent of which is substantially 180*, and an upper arcuate portion having a curvilinear extent of substantially 90*, each of said upper arcuate portions being flattened at their upper extremities to present planar parallel bosses, a rod being supported in said bosses and extending at one of its ends beyond one of said bosses, said resilient means provided on the extended end of said rod for bearing against the confronting face of the adjacent boss for urging said bosses toward each other, said arms being pivotally interengaged between their upper and lower arcuate portions whereby the bias of said resilient means will normally urge their lower extremities of said lower arcuate portions toward each other into tackling dummy supported relationship.