Football quarterback training apparatus

• US 8,911,308 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2012
• Issued: 12/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas Daniels
• Original Assignee: Thomas Daniels
• Inventors: Daniels, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US13/572,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20130040764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 473/422, 473/438, 473/439, 473/444, 473/470, 473/251
• US Class Current: 473/439
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0056 for statistical or strategic analysis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/002 for football American-football dummies A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0073 Means for releasably holding a ball in position; Balls constrained to move around a fixed point, e.g. by tethering
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0686 Timers, rhythm indicators or pacing apparatus using electric or electronic means

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus for training a quarterback in skills necessary for the game of American football. The invention comprises a snap deck, targets, and blitz sticks, which all stand freely. The snap deck is a station that allows the user to create or modify play sequences, which are defined by selecting certain targets and blitz sticks to illuminate at certain times. The interface also includes displays showing session statistics. A play is initiated by removing the football from a holder on the snap deck. The targets illuminate according to the programmed play, representing open receivers, to which the user attempts to complete a pass. The blitz sticks illuminate according to the programmed play, signaling a blitz to the user, who reacts accordingly while attempting to complete a pass. If a successful pass is not completed within the time limit, all targets illuminate red and an alarm sounds.

Claims

1. A football quarterback training apparatus comprising,

a snap deck;

a plurality of targets;

a plurality of blitz sticks;

the snap deck comprises a deck radio communication device, a deck chipset, a housing, a football holder, a control panel, a speaker, an on/off switch, a deck power source, an adjustable height deck leg, a plurality of data storage ports, and a deck base;

each of the plurality of targets comprises a target frame, a net, a target radio communication device, a target chipset, a plurality of target lights, a target power source, an adjustable height target leg, a target base, and a plurality of pass detection sensors; and

each of the plurality of the blitz sticks comprises a stick body, a stick radio communication device, a stick chipset, a plurality of stick lights, an adjustable height stick leg, a stick power source, and a stick base.

2. The football quarterback training apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the snap deck being communicatively coupled by the snap deck radio communication device to each of the plurality of targets by the target radio communication devices;

the snap deck being communicatively coupled by the snap deck radio communication device to each of the plurality of blitz sticks by the stick radio communication device;

the snap deck being communicatively coupled by the snap deck radio communication device to each of the plurality of blitz sticks by the stick radio communication device;

the plurality of targets being positioned around the snap deck; and

the plurality of blitz sticks being positioned around the snap deck between the snap deck and the plurality of targets.

3. The football quarterback training apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the housing including a front lateral side;

the plurality of data storage ports including a universal serial bus port and a flash memory card slot;

the control panel being positioned atop the housing;

the deck chipset being positioned within the housing;

the deck base comprises a heavy stabilization material;

the adjustable height deck leg being connected adjacent to the housing opposite the control panel;

the on/off switch being positioned adjacent the housing; and

the deck base being connected adjacent to the adjustable height deck leg and opposite the housing.

4. The football quarterback training apparatus as claimed in claim 3 comprises,

the football holder being positioned adjacent to the front lateral side;

and

the control panel comprises a plurality of buttons and a plurality of displays.

5. The football quarterback training apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the football holder including a holder sensor;

the holder sensor being centrally positioned on the football holder;

the deck power source being electrically connected to the deck radio communication device, the deck chipset, the control panel, the holder sensor, and the on/off switch; and

the deck chipset being electronically connected to the deck radio communication device, the control panel, the holder sensor, the plurality of data storage ports and the on/off switch.

6. The football quarterback training apparatus as claimed in claim 4,

wherein the plurality of numerical displays including a timer display, a point counter, a pass attempts counter, and a pass completions counter;

and

the plurality of buttons comprises a plurality of target programming buttons, a plurality of blitz stick programming buttons, a set button, and a plurality of timer adjustment buttons.

7. The football quarterback training apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the plurality of target lights including a first colored light and a second colored light;

the net being perimetrically connected to the target frame;

the target frame being connected adjacent to the adjustable height target leg;

the target base being connected adjacent to the adjustable height target leg and opposite the target frame;

the plurality of target lights being positioned within the target frame;

the target frame being made of a first translucent material; and

the target chipset, target radio communication device and target power source being positioned within the target frame.

8. The football quarterback training apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the target chipset being electronically connected to the target radio communication device, the plurality of pass detection sensors, and the plurality of target lights;

the target power source being electrically connected to the target chipset, the target radio communication device, the plurality of pass detection sensors, and the plurality of target lights;

the plurality of pass detection sensors being of the infrared interrupter variety;

the plurality of pass detection sensors being positioned within the target frame, wherein the plurality of pass detection sensors operate by detecting an interruption in a beam of infrared light; and

the plurality of pass detection sensors being positioned opposite each other.

9. The football quarterback training apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the stick body being attached adjacent to the adjustable height stick leg;

the stick base being connected adjacent to the adjustable height stick leg and opposite the stick body;

the plurality of stick lights being positioned within the stick body;

the stick body being made of a second translucent material; and

the stick chipset, stick radio communication device and stick power source being positioned within the stick frame.

10. The football quarterback training apparatus as claimed in claim 1,

wherein the stick chipset being electronically connected to the stick radio communication device and the plurality of stick lights;

and

the stick power source being electrically connected to the stick chipset, the plurality of stick lights, and the stick radio communication device.