Apparatus and system for roping practice

Abstract

An apparatus and system for roping practice incorporating an animal shaped head configured to simulate the movements of a live animal. The apparatus includes a swivel joint at the base of the head and a swivel joint where the neck joins to the body, and includes actuators that independently move the neck and head to a specified pitch and yaw angle. Additionally, the head may be attached to a rotor plate such that the head may rotate clockwise and counterclockwise. A programmable controller is included that may store actuator sequences that simulate real-time head and neck movements of live animals. The controller may be programmed by a control device that comprises one or more actuators such as joystick actuators, and the joystick actuators may directly control the animated head. The head may be removable and interchangeable, and may include removable horns to permit customization of the animated head for the physical characteristics and characteristic movements of a specific breed of animal.

1 . An apparatus for roping practice, the apparatus comprising: 
 an animal shaped head comprising a nose end and a neck end, the animal shaped head configured to swivel about a first point;    a plurality of actuators configured to swivel the head about the first point; and    a controller configured to control the plurality of actuators.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmable.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a memory configured to store at least one actuator control sequence.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises an interface usable to program an actuator control sequence.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the controller interface is further configured to receive a signal from a control device.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the controller interface is further configured to directly control movement of the head.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first point is located near the neck end.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of actuators is configured to swivel the head to a specified head pitch and head yaw.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive parameters corresponding to the specified head pitch, head yaw, and head rotation.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of actuators is configured to swivel the head to a specified head rotation.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a ball-and-socketjoint located at the first point.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a neck member connecting the first point with a second point.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of actuators is further configured to swivel the neck member about the second point.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of actuators is further configured to swivel the neck member to a specified neck pitch and neck yaw.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive parameters corresponding to the specified neck pitch and neck yaw.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the animal shaped head is removable.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the animal shaped head is interchangeable with an animal shaped head of a different breed.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the removable head is interchangeable with an animal shaped head of a different species.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the animal shaped head comprises a bovine-shaped head.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the animal shaped head comprises removable horns.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the removable horns are interchangeable with horns of a different breed.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the removable horns are interchangeable with horns of a different species.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame configured to mount to a platform selected from the group consisting of a steer body model, a bale spike, a sawhorse, and a vehicle.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuators are pneumatic.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuators are hydraulic.  
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the actuators are electric.  
   
   
       27 . A system for roping practice, the system comprising: 
 a frame configured to receive an animal shaped head;    an animal shaped head attached to the frame, the animal shaped head configured to swivel about a first point;    a plurality of actuators configured to swivel the head about the first point;    a controller configured to control the plurality of actuators; and    an interface configured to connect the controller to a control device.    
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the frame is mounted to a steer body model.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the frame is mounted on a mobile platform.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the controller is further configured to record actuator control sequences.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the plurality of actuators in response to movement of a control device actuator.  
   
   
       32 . An apparatus for roping practice, the apparatus comprising: 
 a bovine shaped animal head configured to swivel about a first point;    the bovine shaped animal head comprising interchangeable horns;    a plurality of actuators configured to swivel the head about the first point;    a neck member connecting the first point with a second point;    the plurality of actuators further configured to swivel the neck member about the second point;    a controller configured to control the plurality of actuators; and    the controller further configured to interface with a control device.