Training device with toggle action to aid proper form and leg speed when punting

Abstract

A training device for punting includes a rigid structure, a moving portion coupled to and operable to rotate relative to the rigid structure, a punting target mounted to the moving portion and configured to move with the moving portion in a curved path relative to the rigid structure in response to a punt from a user, a toggle feature coupled between the moving portion and the punting target and operable to provide a limited range of movement of the punting target relative to the moving portion toward a front side and a back side of the training device, independent of the rotation of the moving portion relative to the rigid structure, and a braking mechanism operable to stop the rotation of the moving portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A training device for punting, the training device comprising:
 a rigid structure;   a moving portion coupled to and operable to rotate relative to the rigid structure;   a punting target mounted to the moving portion and configured to move with the moving portion in a curved path relative to the rigid structure in response to a punt from a user;   a toggle feature coupled between the moving portion and the punting target and operable to provide a limited range of movement of the punting target relative to the moving portion toward a front side and a back side of the training device, independent of the rotation of the moving portion relative to the rigid structure; and   a braking mechanism operable to stop the rotation of the moving portion.   
     
     
         2 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the moving portion includes:
 a first pivot member rotatable about a first rotational axis at the rigid structure and a second pivot member rotatable about a second rotational axis at the rigid structure, the second rotational axis parallel to the first rotational axis,   a vertical member interlocking the first and second pivot members such that rotation of the first pivot member results in rotation of the second pivot member; and   a bracket configured to hold the punting target, the bracket spaced apart from the rigid structure.   
     
     
         3 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the braking mechanism is operable to provide varying resistance dependent upon the position of the punting target. 
     
     
         4 . The training device of  claim 3 , wherein the punting target is movable between a plurality of positions including a rest position, and wherein the braking mechanism is biased to the rest position. 
     
     
         5 . The training device of  claim 3 , wherein the braking mechanism includes a brake cushion configured to compress in response to the rotation of the moving portion. 
     
     
         6 . The training device of  claim 3 , wherein the braking mechanism includes a spring configured to compress in response to rotation of the moving portion. 
     
     
         7 . The training device of  claim 3 , wherein the braking mechanism includes a brake cushion compressible between the rigid structure and the moving portion, and wherein the braking mechanism further includes a spring operable to limit the overall movement of the moving portion relative to the rigid structure. 
     
     
         8 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the toggle feature includes a vertical toggle bracket mounted to the punting target and to the moving portion, wherein the toggle bracket is non-rigidly mounted to the moving portion via a plurality of toggle bolts and toggle springs to provide the limited range of movement of the punting target relative to the moving portion. 
     
     
         9 . The training device of  claim 8 , wherein the vertical toggle bracket includes a plurality of apertures spaced apart along a length of the vertical toggle bracket, wherein the punting target is mountable relative to any of the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the toggle feature includes a “U” shaped toggle bracket defining a first rotational axis with the moving portion and a second rotational axis with the punting target such that the moving portion is rotatable relative to the rigid structure, the toggle bracket is rotatable relative to the moving portion, and the punting target is rotatable relative to the toggle bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the toggle feature is a flexible shaft, and wherein the punting target is mounted about the flexible shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the punting target is mounted to a shaft, wherein the toggle feature includes a toggle bracket mounted to the moving portion, the toggle bracket defining an opening or a channel, and wherein the shaft is movable along the opening or the channel toward the front side or the back side within the opening or channel. 
     
     
         13 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid structure includes a plurality of vertical side struts, wherein the moving portion includes an upper moving portion and a lower moving portion, wherein the upper and lower moving portions are interlocked such that rotation of the upper moving portion results in rotation of the lower moving portion, the moving portion further comprising a punting target holder bracket mounted to the upper and lower moving portions. 
     
     
         14 . The training device of  claim 1 , wherein the moving portion includes:
 a pivot member rotatable a rotational axis at the rigid structure; and   a horizontal bracket configured to hold the punting target, the bracket spaced apart from the rigid structure.   
     
     
         15 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a gauge holder mounted to the rigid structure and operable to measure the strength of a punt;   a measuring template attached to the gauge holder;   a marker moveably connected to the gauge holder and positioned over the front of the template,   wherein a member of the moving portion is operable to rotate upward against the marker;   wherein the marker is operable to stop in front of the template to show the distance that the moving portion travelled, and   wherein the distance that the moving portion travelled relates to the force of the punt.   
     
     
         16 . The training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a backing board secured to a vertical surface and a steel sheet attached to the backing board, wherein the rigid structure further comprises a cross strut member positioned under the backing board, the training device further comprising a magnet connected to the rigid structure and magnetically coupled to the steel sheet, wherein the cross strut prevent the rigid structure from moving upward and the magnet connected to the steel sheet prevents the trainer from moving away from the backing board. 
     
     
         17 . The training device of  claim 2 , wherein the rigid structure includes a plurality of slots, wherein the training device further comprises a wall holder bracket having threaded studs extending therefrom, the threaded studs extending through any of the plurality of slots, and further comprising a plurality of fasteners operable to engage the threaded studs to secure the rigid structure relative to the wall holder bracket. 
     
     
         18 . A method of practicing punting, the method comprising:
 mounting a moving portion to a rigid structure and mounting a punting target to the movable portion;   applying a punting force to the punting target to displace the punting target relative to the moving portion and to rotate the moving portion and punting target upward from a first position to a second position relative to the rigid structure;   maintaining user contact with the punting target between the first position and the second position;   removing user contact from the punting target;   slowing the rotation of the punting target to a stop at or beyond the second position by compressing a braking mechanism relative to one of the moving portion and the rigid structure; and   returning the punting target to the first position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the punting target is mounted above a standing surface, wherein applying the punting force includes lifting a user's foot above the standing surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein displacing the punting target relative to the moving portion includes one of compressing a spring at the moving portion, rotating the moving target relative to the moving portion, stretching a flexible shaft supporting the punting target, or moving the punting target within a channel coupled to the moving portion.