Rugby Tackle Training Machine with Synchronized Locking Slider
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current machines for sports training, such as those used by American football players, are not representative of rugby tackles and do not allow for effective training in offensive and lateral tackling techniques.
Innovation Solution
A machine designed for rugby training featuring a base with a guide system, a telescopically mounted slider, a rotatable dummy foot, and a blocking system that simulates the movement and resistance of an opponent, allowing for realistic simulation of tackles by transitioning between locked and unlocked positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a simple sled with fixed foam mannequin is used for training, then the device complexity is low, but the training realism and adaptability to actual rugby tackles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the slider movable along the guide system, allowing the dummy to transition between deployed and retracted positions. This dynamic mechanism enables the training device to simulate the realistic movement and resistance of an actual rugby opponent, resolving the contradiction between training realism and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the training device into distinct functional components: a base with guide system, a movable slider, a rotatable foot, and a foam dummy. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while working together to create realistic tackle training, achieving high adaptability without excessive overall complexity
2Reliability
If the slider is always free to move during training, then the ease of operation is high, but the ability to simulate opponent resistance and locking behavior deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of slider mobility by introducing a locking mechanism that can switch between locked and unlocked states. This allows the system to accurately simulate opponent resistance and locking behavior during tackles while maintaining ease of operation through automatic or manual locking controls
3Adaptability or versatility
If the foot is fixed in vertical position, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to simulate natural tackling angles and movements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the foot rotatable about the tilting axis, allowing it to assume different angles including inclined positions. This enables training of natural tackling angles and movements specific to rugby, achieving high adaptability for different tackle techniques without excessive device complexity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a machine (100) for tackling training comprising: - a base (102) including a guide system (110) and fastening means for fixing the base (102), - a slide (104) mounted to move in translation relative to the guide system (110) along a direction of translation (50), between an extended position in which the slide (104) is fully extended out of the guide system (110) and a retracted position in which the slide (104) is fully extended out of the guide system (110), and vice versa, - a mannequin (106) comprising: - a foot (112) mounted to move in rotation on the slide (104) about a pivoting axis (52) perpendicular to the vertical plane parallel to the direction of translation (50) between a locked position and an unlocked position and vice versa,- a frame (114) mounted for rotation on the foot (112) about a tackling axis (54) which is substantially parallel to the direction of translation (50) when the foot (112) is in the unlocked position, and - a foam block (150) fixed to the frame and representing the opponent, - a locking system (108) movable between a locking position in which the slider (104) is locked in the deployed position and an unlocking position in which the slider (104) is free to move towards the retracted position, and - a synchronization means (116) for moving the locking system (108) from the locking position to the unlocking position when the foot (112) moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.