Abstract: The present invention relates to a hockey puck storage and delivery system. In its broadest context, the present invention includes a hollow arcuate housing with both a loading end and a discharge end. The intermediate extend of the housing is adapted to store a number of hockey pucks. A discharge device, such as a solenoid actuated plunger, is employed in forcing pucks out through the discharge end of the housing. In this manner, the device can be used in "face-offs" to simulate a referee dropping a puck. The device also includes a spring biased tensioning device which is employed in urging the pucks within the housing toward the discharge end. Further included are means for securing the device to a wall.

Abstract: An applique is disclosed for placement on a hockey stick for improving the engagement of the stick with a game piece. The applique includes a base member having a first surface and a second surface. An adhesive is provided on a second surface for adhesively attaching the second surface to the stick. An ordered array of substantially non-deforming protrusions or recesses are formed on the first surface for engaging a surface of a game piece, such as a hockey puck. The protrusions are designed to maximize the frictional engagement between the applique and the puck, to increase the user's ability to control the puck. In an alternate embodiment, an applique is disclosed having a series of direction influencing protrusions formed on the first surface for influencing the direction of deflection of the hockey puck off the first surface toward a predetermined direction.

Abstract: A system to releasably anchor a post at a predetermined location on a playing surface comprising a hollow, upright post to be releasably anchored at the predetermined location on the playing surface having a bottom on the playing surface and a top remote from the bottom and the playing surface; a hollow, frustoconical member disposed within the hollow, upright post adjacent the bottom to anchor the hollow, upright post to the predetermined location on the playing surface and to enable a quick release of the hollow, upright post when forceful contact is made with the hollow, upright post; and an arrangement connected between an interior of the hollow, frustoconical member and the playing surface to secure the hollow, frustoconical member to the predetermined location on the playing surface.

Abstract: A sports training device, which is a simulated human figure having at least one movable limb; a fluid-containing actuating system connected to the movable limb; and a trigger device connected to the fluid-containing actuating system, for activating the fluid-containing actuating system. The training device provides a distractive movement to acclimate the sports player to distractions.

Abstract: An athletic shooting aid adapted to be detachably mounted directly on the goal of a sporting event to provide a target at which the player aims and strikes with the game piece in order to improve the form and accuracy of the player's shooting. The device comprises a clamp which is removably attachable to the goal having a substantially straight elongated member extending from the clamp with a ball or bulk of material attached to the elongated member to serve as the target at which the player aims when shooting the game piece. The elongated member is adapted and configured to allow the ball to move when struck by the game piece in such a manner that the game piece deflects the ball without substantially affecting the trajectory of the game piece and to allow the ball to be repositioned after the game piece has passed through the goal.

Abstract: A combination including a frame defining at least one of a hockey and a soccer goal, a blocking element, and first structure for moving the blocking element in front of the frame so as to expose and block different parts of the goal as the blocking element is moved. The first structure moves the blocking element in two different manners in front of, and relative to, the frame.

Abstract: A free-standing goal tending apparatus permitting unlimited planar adjustments of the upper and lower limb joints is presented. The joints pivotally rotate about axis points. Slots found in the preselected joints allow pivotal and sliding adjustments. The goal tending figure is affixed to a frame which allows height adjustments to keep both feet of the apparatus on the ground and is collapsible for storage or transport. Also provided is a base having a lower surface which permits forward movement of the device yet keeps it from moving backward when struck by a puck or other playing piece and wheels for movement.

Abstract: A mechanical athletic training device includes a mobile carriage with a locking device which locks the mobile carriage in a stationary position. An opponent simulator, such as a hockey stick, is connected to the mobile carriage by a pivoting connection. The mobile carriage combined with the pivoting connection allows the opponent simulator to interact with an athlete by simulating the movements and actions of a defensive or offensive player. The mobile carriage combined with the pivoting connection forces the athlete to anticipate the movements of the opponent simulator and play through the opponent simulator rather than around it. The opponent simulator can be activated manually by the athlete by striking the opponent simulator. Alternatively, the opponent simulator can be manually operated by an operator using a handle device attached to the pivoting connection. As a further alternative, an electric motor can be attached to the pivoting connection to automatically impart motion to the opponent simulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a game and training device which can be played in a game-like setting to develop skills such as ball handling, passing, and shooting. A primary goal forms a target opening in a generally vertical plane through which a ball may be kicked by the player. In addition, a plurality of intermediate goals are arranged on the playing field in spaced relation to one another. Each intermediate goal defines a respective target opening through which the ball is to be passed as the player advances the ball to the primary goal. Each intermediate goal comprises a pair of base members positioned on laterally spaced apart relation to one another and a hoop member supported by the pair of base members.

Abstract: A device for training soccer players having a rectangular net body and a plurality of pockets. The rectangular net body and pockets are made of flexible net material. The rectangular net body has a plurality of apertures. Each pocket is attached to the perimeter of each aperture and sized to receive at least one soccer ball. The training device may be used in conjunction with a game to develop a player's foot and shooting skills.

Abstract: A hockey puck shooting range including a planar surface for accommodating sliding movement of hockey pucks; a collection system disposed at a peripheral edge portion of the planar surface and arranged to collect hockey pucks propelled off the planar surface at the peripheral edge portion; and an ejection mechanism for sequentially ejecting hockey pucks onto the planar surface. Also included is a conveyor system for conveying to the ejection mechanism hockey pucks collected by the collection system. The range significantly enhances the effectiveness of puck shooting practice. The range includes a hockey net disposed along the peripheral edge portion and the collection system collects hockey pucks received by the hockey net.

Abstract: A toy hockey game which includes a stick and a projectile that both have hook and loop material which releasably attach the projectile to the stick, so that the participants can maintain the projectile in contact with the stick while playing a game of hockey.

Abstract: A rebound net 10 having a reinforced periphery 20 that can be removably attached to a structure surrounding a door opening of domestic garage. The net 10, while attached to the structure 24, substantially closes the opening 22. The periphery 20 of the rebound net 10 is removably attached to the structure 24 by a first means 26 of an eye bolt 28 and a snap hook 30, a second means 40 of a J-type screw hook 42 and an adjustable strap 44 and a third means 54 of an anchor pin 56 and a shock cord hooks 58. Tension on the rebound net 10 is adjusted by the adjustable strap 44.

Abstract: An interactive throwing game apparatus and method includes a longitudinal game table provided in an arcade game environment. An upright ball target is mounted across the front end of the game table at a location facing a human player standing at a player station adjacent to the rear end of the apparatus. A pitching mechanism recessed beneath the game table ejects individual balls toward the human player, who then attempts to throw each ball to a defined target. The object of the game is to cause the ball to impact the target area before a simulated runner visible along the game table reaches a finishing position adjacent to the ball target. Visual and audible messages are provided to the human player dependent upon the accuracy of each throw and the timed sequence at which a given ball impacts the target area in relation to the movement of the simulated runner.

Abstract: A goal assembly is disclosed for receiving and retaining a game ball, such as a soccer ball. The goal assembly has a base for placement on a playing surface and is ramped downwardly toward the playing surface for receiving an incoming rolling game ball thereover. The goal assembly also has a side assembly flexibly attached to the base and extending upwardly. The side assembly has a target opening at an upper end of the side assembly and allows the incoming rolling game ball to compress one side of the upwardly extending side assembly and cause the remaining portion of the side assembly to contract in a direction opposite of the incoming game ball, thereby trapping the game ball within the goal assembly. The goal assembly is particularly desirable in pairs for playing various games. In the preferred embodiment, the goal assembly is sized for receiving a soccer ball, and is very useful as a soccer practice goal.

Abstract: The invention comprises one or more electro-mechanical robots in human form designed to resemble hockey player(s). The robots are suspended from a movable overhead track and powered by motorized cars along a variety of courses, all of which causes the robots to move at the speed(s) and follow the skating pathways used in hockey plays and maneuvers. The elevation, speed and pathways followed by the robots are selected from a computer menu. The robots may be used for instructing and training skaters in the skills, maneuvers and plays essential to the sport of ice (and roller) hockey. The robots are designed to provide a teaching/learning tool and to be used in conditions which realistically resemble those that skaters/players encounter in real hockey games. Robots are equipped with sensor chips which, when impacted by the skater, will provide measurable data regarding the skater's performance during training sessions.

Abstract: A sports target system adapted for use in connection with a backdrop, is generally composed of at least one resiliently stretchable cord having hooks at each end thereof, such as a conventional stretch cord, and at least one flaccidly flexible target, such as a cloth material having a predetermined color and/or indicia thereupon. The target is provided with a loop for receiving slidably therein the resiliently stretchable cord. In operation, the user places one or more targets onto the resiliently stretchable cord by passage of the resiliently stretchable cord through the loop of each of the targets. The hooks at each end of the resiliently stretchable cord are then hookably engaged with the left and right sides of the backdrop, such as the frame of a hockey goal. The one or more targets which hang downwardly from the resiliently stretchable cord, are now slid into a selected target practice position.

Abstract: A soccer training device, for mounting to a soccer goal, comprising a visual target, a clamp, and a tapered stem between the visual target and clamp. The clamp has a pair of jaws capable of opening and closing to attach the soccer training device onto a soccer goal. The clamp is attached to the tapered stem with a hinge, which allows the visual target to deflect with respect to the clamp when hit with a soccer ball. The device is clamped onto a soccer goal to remind a player to aim for extremities of the soccer goal.

Abstract: A game system includes two uprights formed of three telescoping sections. The lower section extends into a base which is positioned into the supporting surface or related ground. A plurality of securing structures are positioned along the length of each upright to receive a net. The net has at least two elastically-deformable straps extending away therefrom for securing the net to the uprights for use at least two sports. Alternate game structure may be secured to the upright, including a tetherball, a soccer ball, a soccer net, a golf ball receiving net, and a baseball practice structure. Also, net-securing structure may be secured to one of the uprights to receive a net for storage.