Articulating roping dummy tow apparatus and system

Abstract

An apparatus and system for towing a roping dummy is provided. The roping dummy tow apparatus includes an anchor member coupled a roping dummy, and an articulating support member coupled to the anchor member. The articulating support member includes a plurality of arms coupled to one another. Each respective arm includes at least a first end and a second end, the first end having an elongated arm extension and the second having a grooved concave portion to receive the elongated arm extension. The roping dummy tow apparatus further includes one or more skis coupled to a bottom of the anchor member. The system includes the roping dummy and a vehicle to tow the roping dummy using the roping dummy tow apparatus.

1 . A device, comprising:
 a roping dummy tow apparatus that includes:
 a roping dummy; 
 an anchor member coupled to the roping dummy; and 
 an articulating support member coupled to the anchor member having a plurality of arms wherein each respective arm includes at least a first end having at least one coupler. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more skis coupled to the anchor member. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of arms are coupled to one another, and at least one arm has 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.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor member extends from an underside surface of the roping dummy, the underside surface of the roping dummy is parallel to a top planar surface of the ski. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the articulating support member having the plurality of arms is made of steel circular pipes. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the steel circular pipes have an inside diameter of up to 2 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of arms are configured to articulate in a 20-30 degree axis of rotation on a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the coupler is a universal joint, pin, or fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor member is coupled to a movable platform having one or more wheels. 
     
     
         10 . A roping dummy, comprising:
 a roping dummy body that includes:
 a front end having a head and chest portion; 
 a rear end opposite to the front end; 
 an upper surface, and a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, the upper and lower surfaces 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.   
     
     
         11 . The roping dummy of  claim 10 , wherein at least two skis are mounted to the lower surface of the roping dummy. 
     
     
         12 . The roping dummy of  claim 10 , wherein the articulating support member includes a plurality of arms. 
     
     
         13 . The roping dummy of  claim 12 , wherein each respective arm includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end or the second end includes a pin that is configured to enable each respective arm to articulate in a first direction and in a second direction. 
     
     
         14 . The roping dummy of  claim 13 , wherein each respective arm is configured to articulate in an at least 20-degree axis of rotation in the first or second direction on a horizontal plane. 
     
     
         15 . The roping dummy of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one ski is aligned with a center portion of the underside surface of the roping dummy. 
     
     
         16 . The roping dummy of  claim 10 , wherein at least three skis are coupled to the underside surface of the roping dummy. 
     
     
         17 . The roping dummy of  claim 16 , wherein the skis are configured in a triangular design wherein at least one ski is positioned under the chest portion of the roping dummy body. 
     
     
         18 . The roping dummy of  claim 10 , wherein the articulating support member is made of steel. 
     
     
         19 . A system, comprising:
 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.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising an anchor member coupled to the roping dummy and the articulating support member, wherein the articulating support member is made of steel and configured to articulate 20-30 degrees in a first direction and a second direction.