BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a roping practice apparatus, and more particularly to a roping practice apparatus for simulating motion of the head of an animal to train a roper. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Various conventional roping practice apparatuses have been disclosed for simulating the movements of an animal such as a calf to train a roper in roping skill. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,534 B1 entitled “mechanical roping practice device”, U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,618 entitled “movable roping exercise target” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,399 B1 entitled “mechanical roping steer apparatus with enhanced stride simulation” disclose several kinds of roping practice apparatuses for training ropers. A conventional roping practice apparatus generally has a wheeled calf model. The calf model can be pulled and moved through a linkage or a cord to train a roper in roping a moving target. 
         [0005]    In order to more realistically simulate the movements of the head of an animal for a roper to exercise more difficult roping skill, the head models of some conventional roping practice apparatuses are movable. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,775 B1 entitled “roping practice apparatus” discloses a calf model having a mechanical head section. The head section is provided with a frame body and pivot shafts, whereby the head section can swing left and right. In U.S. Patent No. 2004/0101811 A1 entitled “mechanical dally coach” and U.S. Pat. No. 7,430,990 B1 entitled “mechanical roping steer apparatus with pivoting horns and pivoting horn support”, a head section of an animal model is equipped with a linkage mechanism, whereby the head section can swing up and down. In addition, movable horns are pivotally connected to the head section by pivots. When a roper ropes the horns and tensions/contracts the loop of rope, the horns will be biased about the pivots. 
         [0006]    In U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,553 entitled “animated mechanical steer having spring biased head” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,788 entitled “mechanical roping steer”, a complicated linkage mechanism is used to drive a head model to swing back and forth or up and down. 
         [0007]    However, the above conventional roping practice apparatuses have some defects in structural design. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,775 B1, the head section of the animal model can simply swing from the middle to the left side. In U.S. Patent No. 2004/0101811 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,430,990 B1, the head model is driven by the linkage mechanism to simply swing up and down. Therefore, it is tried by the applicant to provide an improved roping practice apparatus, in which the head model can move within a larger range without limitation to any specific direction so as to more realistically simulate the movements of the head of a live animal. The improved roping practice apparatus has the following advantages:
   1. The head model can swing left and right and up and down (or back and forth) within a range of up to 360°. Therefore, the head model can move in such a manner as to more realistically simulate the movements of the head of a live animal.   2. In contrast to the conventional roping practice apparatus that simply adopts the linkage mechanism to drive and swing the head model in a specific direction, the head model of the improved roping practice apparatus can swing without limitation to any specific direction.   3. The improved roping practice apparatus has simplified structure and is easy to assemble/disassemble. Therefore, the manufacturing cost for the roping practice apparatus is lowered.   
 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a roping practice apparatus for realistically simulating motion of the head of an animal to train a roper in roping skill. The roping practice apparatus includes: a steering unit drivable and rotatable by a power source; a transmission section rotatable in response to the rotation of the steering unit, the transmission section having a first end mounted on the steering unit and a second end; a universal actuator (or universal joint) to which the second end of the transmission section is pivotally connected; and a driven section mounted on the universal actuator and rotatable in response to the rotation of the transmission section. A head model is connected with the driven section and drivable by the driven section to swing within a range of 360°. 
         [0012]    To achieve the above and other objects, the universal actuator of the roping practice apparatus of the present invention includes an outer ring, an inner ring and a connector positioned in the inner ring. Two pins are disposed on the outer ring in positions opposite to each other and radially directed to a center of the outer ring. The inner ring is formed with two shaft sockets in positions opposite to each other corresponding to the pins of the outer ring. The pins of the outer ring are pivotally connected to the shaft sockets, whereby the inner ring is swingably shaft-supported in the outer ring. Two pins are disposed on the inner ring in positions opposite to each other and radially directed to a center of the inner ring. The positions of the pins disposed on the inner ring are about 90° angularly spaced from the shaft sockets respectively. The connector is shaft-supported in the inner ring by the pins thereof, whereby the connector can be swung about the pins of the inner ring. The connector swings in a direction other than a swinging direction of the inner ring, whereby the universal actuator can move within a range of 360°. 
         [0013]    In the above roping practice apparatus, the transmission section and the driven section are flexible or elastic shaft-like structures. The transmission section and the driven section are elastically flexible and movable in response to the rotation of the steering unit within a certain range. 
         [0014]    The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the roping practice apparatus of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective partially exploded view showing the positional relationship between the head model, the neck section, the bracket and the driven section of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective partially exploded view showing the positional relationship between the transmission section, the universal actuator and the driven section of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a plane view showing the positional relationship between the transmission section, the universal actuator, the driven section and the head model of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing the positional relationship between the head model, the neck section, the bracket and the driven section of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a view showing the movements of the steering unit, the transmission section, the universal actuator and the driven section of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a view showing the movements of the steering unit, the transmission section and the driven section of the present invention, also showing the positional relationship therebetween; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a view according to  FIG. 7 , showing the movements of the steering unit, the transmission section and the driven section of the present invention, also showing the positional relationship therebetween. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Please refer to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . The roping practice apparatus of the present invention includes a base body  10  for supporting an animal model  20  mounted thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the base body  10  is provided with a power system  30  and a controller  31 . The power system  30  can be a battery or any other suitable power unit. The power system  30  serves to drive a motor  40  arranged on the base body  10  to rotate. The controller  31  serves to adjustably control the motor  40  to rotate forward or backward at different rotational speeds. The motor  40  is assembled with a transmission mechanism or a gear case  41  for driving and rotating a steering unit  42  arranged on the transmission mechanism or the gear case  41 . A transmission section  50  is coupled with the steering unit  42  and rotatable in response to the rotation of the steering unit  42 . The transmission section  50  is also connected to a universal actuator  60  with a connector  61  for driving a driven section  70  to rotate. A head model  21  is mounted on the driven section  70 . Accordingly, when the driven section  70  is rotated, the head model  21  is synchronously driven to rotate at an adjusted rotational speed. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the steering unit  42  has the form of a cantilever or a plate structure. The steering unit  42  has a fixed end  42   a  connected with the transmission mechanism or the gear case  41  and a free end  42   b . The free end  42   b  of the steering unit  42  is formed with an opening  43  for pivotally connecting the steering unit  42  with the transmission section  50 . In a modified embodiment, the steering unit  42  is alternatively in the form of a disc-shaped structure and eccentrically pivotally connected with the transmission section  50 . 
         [0025]    Please now refer to  FIG. 3 . The transmission section  50  is a flexible or elastic shaft-like structure, which can be elastically bent and rotated within a certain range. In the preferred embodiment, the transmission section  50  is substantially in the form of a coil spring, including a first end  51  connected to the opening  43  and a second end  52  pivotally connected with the universal actuator  60 . To speak more specifically, the first end  51  is provided with an accessory  53  locked to the opening  43 . The second end  52  is provided with a shaft member  54  extending into the connector  61  of the universal actuator  60  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0026]    Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the universal actuator  60  can be in the form of a universal joint. In the preferred embodiment, the universal actuator  60  is a ring-like structure, including an outer ring  3  fixed on the base body  10 , an inner ring  62  and the connector  61  positioned on the inner ring  62 . Two pins  63   a  are disposed on the outer ring  63  in positions opposite to each other. The pins  63   a  are radially directed to a center of the outer ring  63 . The inner ring  62  is formed with two cavities or shaft sockets  62   a  in positions opposite to each other corresponding to the pins  63   a . The pins  63   a  of the outer ring  63  are pivotally connected to the shaft sockets  62   a , whereby the inner ring  62  is shaft-supported in the outer ring  63 . Accordingly, the inner ring  62  can be swung about the pins  63   a  in a direction defined as back-and-forth or up-and-down swinging direction. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  also shows that two pins  62   b  are disposed on the inner ring  62  in positions opposite to each other and about 90° angularly spaced from the shaft sockets  62   a  respectively. The pins  62   b  are radially directed to a center of the inner ring  62  for shaft-supporting the connector  61  in the inner ring  62 . Accordingly, the connector  61  can be swung about the pins  62   b  in a direction defined as left-and-right swinging direction. Therefore, the connector  61  can be swung in the left-and-right swinging direction other than the back-and-forth or up-and-down swinging direction of the inner ring  62 . Under such circumstance, the universal actuator  60  can be 360° moved. 
         [0028]    Please now refer to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The connector  61  of the universal actuator  60  is formed with a central through hole  61   a  in which a tubular member  64  is inserted to connect with the connector  61 . In a preferred embodiment, the connector  61  and the tubular member  64  are integrally formed. The shaft member  54  of the transmission section  50  is inserted in one end of the tubular member  64  and locked therewith by a bolt  80 . The driven section  70  is inserted in the other end of the tubular member  64 . 
         [0029]    To speak more specifically, the driven section  70  is a flexible or elastic shaft-like structure, which can be elastically bent and rotated within a certain range. In the preferred embodiment, the driven section  70  is substantially in the form of a coil spring, including a first end  71  connected to the tubular member  64  and a second end  72 . The first end  71  is provided with a shaft member  73  inserted in the other end of the tubular member  64  and locked therewith by a bolt  85 . The second end  72  is provided with a bush  74  for connecting with a bracket  75  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). The bush  74  is formed with a central passage  74   a  and notches  74   b.    
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the bracket  75  has a sleeve  76  with key sections  76   a  and a carrier section  77  normal to the sleeve  76 . After the sleeve  76  is fitted into the passage  74   a  of the bush, the key sections  76   a  of the sleeve  76  are inserted in the notches  74   b  of the bush  74 . Accordingly, the bracket  75  is assembled with the second end  72  of the driven section  70  and hindered from freely rotating.  FIG. 5  also shows that the sleeve  76  of the bracket  75  has such a length that the sleeve  76  extends to a position close to the first end  71  of the driven section  70  to partially enclose the shaft member  73 . 
         [0031]    Please now refer to  FIGS. 2 and 5 . A neck section  22  that can be fitted with the animal model  20  is locked on the carrier section  77  of the bracket  75 . The neck section  22  is an extensible/compressible and flexible structure, which is movable with the rotation of the driven section  70 .  FIG. 5  particularly shows that the neck section  22  is locked on the carrier section  77  by means of fixing members or bolts  88 . In the preferred embodiment, the head model  21  is provided with projecting posts  23 , which can be inserted into perforations  24  formed on the neck section  22 . Accordingly, the head model  21  is detachably assembled with the neck section  22  as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this case, the head model  21  can be conveniently replaced as necessary. Moreover, the head model  21  can be rotated in response to the rotation of the driven section  70 . 
         [0032]    Please now refer to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , which show the movements of the transmission section  50 , the universal actuator  60  and the driven section  70 . When the steering unit  42  is driven and rotated by the motor  40 , the free end  42   b  of the steering unit  42  drives the transmission section  50  to rotate. For example, referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when the steering unit  42  is rotated from a position shown by solid lines to a right-side position shown by phantom lines x according to  FIG. 6 , the second end  52  of the transmission section  50  will make the tubular member  64  and the connector  61  drive the inner ring  62  of the universal actuator  60  to up and down (or back and forth) swing. At this time, the driven section  70  drives the head model  21  to rotate to the position shown by phantom lines x of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0033]    On the other hand, when the steering unit  42  is moved from the position shown by phantom lines x of  FIG. 7  to the position shown by solid lines of  FIG. 8 , the second end  52  of the transmission section  50  will make the tubular member  64  drive the connector  61  of the universal actuator  60  to left and right swing. At this time, the driven section  70  drives the head model  21  to rotate to the position shown by solid lines of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0034]    As shown by phantom lines y of  FIGS. 6 and 8 , when the free end  42   b  of the steering unit  42  is moved to a left-side position according to  FIG. 6 , the second end  52  of the transmission section  50  will make the tubular member  64  and the connector  61  drive the inner ring  62  of the universal actuator  60  to up and down (or back and forth) swing. At this time, the driven section  70  drives the head model  21  to rotate to the position shown by phantom lines y of  FIGS. 6 and 8 . When the steering unit  42  is further rotated, the free end  42   b  of the steering unit  42  will reach the position shown by solid lines of  FIG. 7 . At this time, the second end  52  of the transmission section  50  will drive the connector  61  to left and right swing. Simultaneously, the driven section  70  drives the head model  21  to rotate to the position shown by solid lines of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0035]    As aforesaid, the transmission section  50 , the universal actuator  60  and the driven section  70  are movable in response to the movement of the steering unit  42  to drive and 360° rotate the head model  21 . In contrast, the mechanical head section of the conventional roping practice apparatus can simply swing in one direction. 
         [0036]    In a modified embodiment of the present invention, the base body  10  can be equipped with wheels, whereby the base body  10  is movable in cooperation with the transmission mechanism and the power system. 
         [0037]    According to the above arrangement, the roping practice apparatus of the present invention has the following advantages:
   1. The head model  21  can move in both the left-and-right swinging direction and the up-and-down (or back-and-forth) swinging direction. Therefore, the head model  21  can move within a range of 360° to more realistically simulate the actual movement of the head of a live animal. This overcomes the defects of the conventional roping practice apparatus.   2. The universal actuator  60  includes the outer ring  63 , the inner ring  62  and the connector  61 . The universal actuator  60  is driven by the steering unit  42  through the transmission section  50  to make the driven section  70  universally drive and rotate the head model  21 . Such design is apparently different from the conventional roping practice apparatus that simply adopts a linkage mechanism to drive and swing the head model in a specific direction. In comparison with the conventional roping practice apparatus, the head model  21  of the present invention can be moved within a range of 360° without limitation to any specific direction.   3. The driving mechanism for driving the head model  21  is simplified and easy to assemble/disassemble. In contrast, the conventional roping practice apparatus has complicated structure and is hard to assemble/disassemble. Also, the conventional roping practice apparatus is manufactured at higher cost.   
 
         [0041]    The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
A roping practice apparatus for realistically simulating motion of the head of an animal to train a roper in roping skill. The roping practice apparatus includes: a steering unit drivable and rotatable by a power source; a transmission section rotatable in response to the rotation of the steering unit, the transmission section having a first end mounted on the steering unit and a second end; a universal actuator to which the second end of the transmission section is pivotally connected; and a driven section mounted on the universal actuator and rotatable in response to the rotation of the transmission section. A head model is connected with the driven section and drivable by the driven section to swing back and forth and left and right within a range of 360deg.