US 12,138,518 B1
Tackling training devices and methods
Neil F. Gilman, Gilman, CT (US)
Assigned to Marty Gilman, Inc., Gilman, CT (US)
Filed by Marty Gilman, Inc., Gilman, CT (US)
Filed on Mar. 28, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/620,889.
Application 18/620,889 is a continuation in part of application No. 29/922,903, filed on Dec. 26, 2023, granted, now D1044990.
Int. Cl. A63B 69/34 (2006.01); A63B 71/06 (2006.01)
CPC A63B 69/34 (2013.01) [A63B 2071/0694 (2013.01); A63B 2210/50 (2013.01); A63B 2214/00 (2020.08); A63B 2243/007 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tackling training device comprising:
a frame including four outwardly extending projections coupled to a central hub, the four outwardly extending projections being configured in a tetrahedral arrangement, wherein a free end of each said outwardly extending projection defines an apex of a tetrahedron in three-dimensional space, wherein:
the central hub includes four outwardly extending sleeves, each said outwardly extending sleeve of said central hub including an inner sleeve end joined to at least one adjacent inner sleeve end, and an outer sleeve end opposite the inner sleeve end, each outer sleeve end being joined to a respective one of the four outwardly extending projections at a respective joint, and
the surface across each respective joint is smooth and continuous to permit a pad to be slid over and past the joint without substantial mechanical interference;
a plurality of pads, each said pad of the plurality of pads being coupled to and surrounding the free end and at least a majority of a length of each respective outwardly extending projection, at least one of said pads in the plurality of pads spanning both sides of at least one of the respective joints joining one of the outwardly extending sleeves to one of the outwardly extending projections, and each said pad of the plurality of pads being configured to absorb impact along a direction of the respective outwardly extending projection on which each said pad is disposed; and
at least one coupling to removably secure each said pad in the plurality of pads to each of said outwardly extending projections, the at least one coupling including a strap attached to each of the plurality of pads at a plurality of locations proximate an inner end of each of said pads, the strap being wrapped around and fastened to the central hub of the frame to permit each of said pads to be held in place against the frame by way of applied tension to the strap.