Articulating Roping Dummy Tow Apparatus and System

The present disclosure is directed to an articulating roping dummy tow apparatus and system.

Working cow horse competition is a rodeo competition event which tests a horse's skill in both reining and cow work, similar to that of traditional ranch work. The competition event consists of two parts: rein work and cow work. Rein work is a segment of the event in which the horse and rider are alone in the arena (without the presence of a cow) and must perform a pattern of specific maneuvers which demonstrate the horse's athleticism and finesse. The next segment, cow work, is when a single cow is introduced into the arena with the horse and rider. The horse and rider are then required to hold, or “box,” the cow at the end of the arena while maintaining control and staying in a proper working position of the cow. Next, the horse must maneuver the cow to run along a fence, make at least one turn in a left and right direction along the fence, and then proceed to drive the cow in a circle.

The working cow horse competition demonstrates a horse's mastery of discipline, agility, finesse, and physical and mental endurance. This level of mastery demands hundreds of training hours to develop the skill necessary to place well in working cow horse competition. Intensive training typically consists of physical and mechanics training, in addition to reaction response time to the actions of the cow. For example, the horse must be trained to start and stop at high speeds to develop the physical aspect and must be trained using a roping dummy to develop the mechanics necessary to hold or box the cow during competition.

When training with a roping dummy, the horse must be able to establish a close position directly in front of the cow, mimicking certain maneuvers necessary during the cow work portion of the event. The problem created with the training and training techniques used with traditional roping dummies is that the bar or tongue extending from and connected to the roping dummy, this arrangement prevents the horse from gaining close proximity to the front or head of the roping dummy. This training technique does not adequately mimic the position of both the horse and the cow and could potentially cause injury to both the rider and horse. Some trainers have attempted to use rope that enables the roping dummy to turn at an angle and allow the horse to gain close accessibility to the roping dummy, however, the ropes are consistently too loose and uncontrollable. Additionally, the position of the ski or wheels in front of the roping dummy could potentially get in the way of the horse, resulting in injury to the horse, the rider, and damage to the roping dummy.

Embodiments of the articulating roping dummy tow apparatus and system described herein contribute to an improved accessibility of a roping dummy for cow horse competition training. An embodiment of a roping dummy tow apparatus may be summarized as including: an anchor member coupled to a roping dummy; and an articulating support member coupled to the anchor member with the articulating support member having a plurality of arms, wherein each respective arm includes at least a first end having at least one coupler.

The roping dummy tow apparatus may further include one or more skis coupled to the anchor member. The plurality of arms may be coupled to one another, and each respective arm may have the first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein an elongated arm extension protrudes from the first end and is positioned within a grooved concave portion of the second end of an adjacent arm. The anchor member may extend from an underside surface of the roping dummy, and the underside surface of the roping dummy may be parallel to a top planar surface of the ski. The articulating support having the plurality of arms is made of steel circular pipes. The steel circular pipes may have an inside diameter of up to 2 inches. The plurality of arms may be configured to articulate in a 20-30 degree axis of rotation on a horizontal plane.

The coupler may be a universal joint, pin, or fastener. The anchor member may be coupled to a moveable platform having one or more wheels.

An embodiment of a roping dummy may be summarized as including: a roping dummy body that may include a front end having a head and a chest portion; a rear end opposite to the front end; an upper surface and a lower surface that is opposite to the upper surface, the upper and lower surfaces are between the front and rear ends; at least one ski mounted to the lower surface of the roping dummy body; and an articulating support member coupled to the at least one ski, wherein the articulating support member is configured to manipulate the roping dummy in an articulating range of motion.

In one embodiment, at least two skis may be mounted to the lower surface of the roping dummy. The articulating support member may include a plurality of arms. Each respective arm may include a first end and a second end, wherein the first end or the second end may include a pin that is configured to bend in a first direction and in a second direction. Each respective arm may be configured to articulate in an at least 20-degree axis of rotation in the first direction or in the second direction on a horizontal plane. The at least one ski may be aligned with a center portion of the underside surface of the roping dummy. In another embodiment, at least three skis are coupled to the underside surface of the roping dummy. The skis may be configured in a triangular design, wherein at least one ski is positioned under the chest portion of the roping dummy body. The articulating support member may be made of steel.

A system of the present disclosure may be summarized as including: a roping dummy; a vehicle; and an articulating support member coupled to the roping dummy and the vehicle, wherein the articulating support member is configured to pull the roping dummy in an articulating motion. The system may further include an anchor member that is coupled to the roping dummy and to the articulating support member. The articulating support member may be made of steel and configured to articulate 20-30 degrees of rotation in a first direction and in a second direction.

To efficiently and effectively prepare properly and train for cow horse competitions, a roping dummy tow apparatus having an articulating support member is needed and widely desired for training purposes.

shows a side view of a roping dummy systemthat includes a roping dummyand an embodiment of a roping dummy tow apparatus. The roping dummyis molded or designed in a shape that generally reassembles that of a bovine or cow. The roping dummy systemdescribed herein can be used in cow horse competition trainings or for other similar purposes. The roping dummyincludes a bodyhaving a headand a rear endthat is positioned opposite to the head. The headmay be referred to as a “front” portion of the roping dummyfor ease of description. Although the headof the roping dummyis shown with horns in, the headof the roping dummymay be designed with or without horns.

The bodyof the roping dummyincludes a top surfaceand an underside surface. The top and underside surfaces,extend from the headto the rear endof the roping dummy. A chest portionmakes up a section of the underside surfaceof the roping dummythat is located under the headand adjacent to a neck portion (not shown).

The roping dummy systemincludes a roping dummy tow apparatus. The roping dummy tow apparatusincludes an anchor member, an articulating support member, and one or more skis. The anchor memberhas a top portion closer to the roping dummy body, and a bottom portion opposite to the top portion. The top portion of the anchor memberis coupled to the underside surfaceof the roping dummy body. The anchor memberis made of a solid piece of metal or steel and structured to support the roping dummy bodywhile coupling the roping dummy bodyto the roping dummy tow apparatus.

In this embodiment, the anchor memberis coupled directly below the center portion of the roping dummy body. However, the anchor membermay be located closer toward the head(toward the direction of travel) or closer toward the rear end(opposite to the direction of travel) of the roping dummy. Dependent on the embodiment, the anchor membercan be placed in varying positions on the underside surfacesuch that the roping dummycan remain vertically upright while in use, for example while veering or turning during training sessions.

The bottom portion of the anchor membercouples the roping dummy bodyto one or more skis. In the embodiment shown in, the skiis shown as a singular ski that has a width capable of sustaining the weight, height, and width of the roping dummy. In other embodiments, the skican be two skis, or three or more skis with narrower widths that enables the roping dummyto maneuver as needed and intended for its original purpose. In some embodiments, the skiscan be positioned closer to the rear endof the roping dummy or closer to the headof the roping dummy.

At least one embodiment of the skiis shown in. The ski, described in the direction of travel, has a length and width (total surface area) designed and shaped to withhold the weight and balance of the roping dummy. The anchor memberis coupled to a top planar surfaceof the ski. The top planar surfaceis substantially parallel to the underside surfaceof the roping dummy body. A bottom surfaceof the skiis configured to move or travel on a ground surface (not shown) with a portion of the skihaving an upward tongueextending in the direction of travel. However, it is appreciated that in other embodiments, the skican be designed in another manner that enables the skito successfully maneuver the roping dummyas intended by the user. In other words, the skidesign and shape may differ dependent on user preference and manufacturing controls; however, the essential function of the ski will remain constant.

The roping dummy tow apparatusfurther includes an articulating support memberthat is coupled to the anchor member. The articulating support memberis positioned between the skiand the underside surfaceof the roping dummy body. The articulating support memberincludes a plurality of links or armsthat connect or fasten to one another by at least one coupler or pin. In some embodiments, the pinmay be a bolt, coupling, universal joint, or other similar fastener that can link the plurality of armstogether and connect them from a first respective arm to the end of the articulating support member. In this embodiment, the plurality of armsextend outwardly, in the direction of travel, from the anchor memberto beyond the headof the roping dummy body. The plurality of armsare made of steel or other similar materials.

In roping dummy system described herein, the articulating support memberwould replace a traditional bar or towing mechanism that is typically used in cow horse competition training, or other purposes demanding the use of a roping dummy. The articulating support memberin conjugation with the plurality of armsare designed and configured to create a strong bar and towing mechanism for towing the roping dummy, while simultaneously providing the appropriate amount of slack that enables the bar to bend or curve to a certain degree. Advantageously, the curvature of the articulating support memberwill manipulate the movement of the roping dummysuch that the horse will not trip or hit the bar when attempting to step up to or approach the front of the roping dummy. This curvature of the bar prohibits injury to the horse and the rider when the horse is in close proximity to the headof the roping dummy. This is accomplished by each respective armhaving on at least one end, the coupler or pin.

The articulating support memberwould be composed of steel or similar material and would be in the shape of a round pipe-like design. The articulating support memberwould have an inside diameter (I.D.) of approximately 1-⅞ or 1.750 inches to 2 inches. The length of the articulating support memberwill vary and can be dependent on user or manufacturer preferences. The articulating support membercan provide a 20-30-degree rotational turn relative to a horizontal plane, which will be described in further detail below in reference to.

shows an alternative embodiment of a roping dummy system. For brevity, features of the roping dummyand roping dummy tow apparatusdescribed inwill not be described in detail for, as the features are the same as described in. In this embodiment, the anchor memberis coupled to a top planar surfaceof a wheeled moveable platform. The wheeled moveable platformincludes two or more wheels. The wheeled moveable platformis structured to maneuver the roping dummyand roping dummy tow apparatusin a manner similar to the embodiment having one or more skis, as mentioned above. The wheeled moveable platformas shown inincludes two pairs of wheels across the platform, but may be designed and structured in a variety of embodiments not shown in the Figures.

shows a top perspective view of the roping dummy system. This top perspective view of the roping dummy systemshows the articulating support memberextending out beyond the purview of the roping dummy body. The plurality of armsare coupled such that the combination of each respective armand each respective pinenables a unitary link for the articulating support memberto articulate or rotate in a 20-30-degree range of motion. The limited articulating motion enables the rider to position the horse close to the headof the roping dummy, without being entangled or tripping over the articulating support member. When towing or maneuvering the roping dummy, the particular structure and movement of the articulating support memberlimits the curvature to a 20-30-degree rotation, while preventing a user from jackknifing (folding of an articulating vehicle that resembles a folding knife).

The articulating support memberis placed in a position relative to the roping dummy bodysuch that the headand neck portion of the roping dummyare easily accessible to a horse (not shown). The articulating support membercan articulate in a first directionor in a second direction. Each respective armhas the capability to articulate in either the first or second direction,.

shows a vehicle or all-terrain vehicle (ATV)towing the roping dummyusing the roping dummy tow apparatus. Although the vehicleshown in the Figure is an ATV, it is appreciated that the vehicle may be any machine designed for, or capable of, transporting cargo. The ATVis coupled to the roping dummy tow apparatususing a standard ball size for a trailer hitch, which is traditionally 2 inches in diameter.

The roping dummy tow apparatusis configured to articulate in either the first or second directions,while simultaneously keeping the roping dummystraight or in line while the ATVbegins to turn the roping dummy. When in motion, the ATVturns first, followed by the roping dummythat turns in a direction mimicking the ATV. In, although the ATVillustrates towing the roping dummyby initiating a turn to the left, it is appreciated that the articulating support membercan rotate movement in either the left direction or the right direction (i.e., first direction or second direction,, which is dependent on orientation of the user).

The skiremains in a substantially parallel position relative to the roping dummy body. The articulating support membercan articulate in the 20-30-degree range of motion, while remaining intact to the anchor membersupporting the roping dummy body. This demonstrates the capability of the roping dummy systemthat allows the horse (not shown) to encroach upon the headof the roping dummyin an up-close and precise manner, without causing undue injury to the horse or rider.

shows a detailed view of a portion of the articulating support member. As noted above, the articulating support membercomprises the plurality of armsthat are coupled or fastened together by one or more of the pins. Each respective armincludes a first end, and a second endopposite to the first end. The first endof each respective armhas an elongated arm extension. The elongated arm extensionprotrudes out the first endin a direction toward the second endof the adjacent arm in order to couple the first endto the second end. Each respective pinis inserted within a grooved concave portionof the second endof each respective arm.

Because the pinsallow each respective armof the articulating support memberto rotate or articulate in the first and second directions,, the grooved concave portionappropriately limits or restricts the rotating of each armto a 20-30 degree articulating range of motion. This restriction prevents the vehiclefrom jackknifing, which as noted above, can cause significant damage to the roping dummy tow apparatusor the vehicletowing the roping dummy. The grooved concave portionis manufactured in a manner to restrict unnecessary movement while allowing a measured degree of movement for each respective arm. The elongated arm extensionof each respective armis purposely proportioned such that the height and width are substantially aligned with the grooved concave portion. In some embodiments, however, the structure of the elongated arm extensionand grooved concave portionmay vary to suit the needs of the user and are not limited to the structure shown in. In some embodiments, the grooved concave portioncan be positioned in the first end, as opposed to the second endshown in.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.