Sports training device

Abstract

A sports training device for rebounding a puck travelling on a playing surface comprising a resilient body formed of tire chips held together with adhesive. The body has a vertical side edge or face for rebounding a puck at substantially the same velocity with which the puck is shot against it.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a sports training device which can be used by hockey players to reflect back a puck shot against it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the game of hockey, it is important for a player to develop the fundamental skills of skating, shooting, passing and receiving. However, it is difficult to practice passing and receiving without the presence of another player. Therefore, there is a need for a suitable and practical device that would allow a player to practice his puck passing and receiving skills in isolation.

[0003] A hockey practice device is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,045, issued to Hammett et al on Nov. 8, 1994. This hockey practice device comprises at least two support members with an elongated elastic band placed in tension between the support members so that a puck shot against the elastic band will rebound to the shooter.

[0004] There are several drawbacks associated with the Hammett device. More particularly, it is desirable that the puck rebound from the device at substantially the same velocity with which it is shot at the device. The elastic band rebounds the puck at a lesser velocity. In addition, the elastic band often deflects when hit with a puck at a certain velocity and angle, with the result that the puck can pass beneath it or can get wedged underneath it. In either instance, the practice session would have to be stopped so that these problems can be rectified. Another drawback associated with the Hammett device is that there is a “dead zone” of approximately 2 inches on either side of the post where the puck will not rebound with sufficient speed to return to the shooter. Finally, the elastic band loses its resilience over time and has to be replaced.

[0005] The present invention addresses these concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In accordance with the invention, the puck-rebounding device is a resilient body formed of elastomer chips or strips held together with adhesive. The body has a vertical side edge or face for rebounding a puck at substantially the same velocity with which the puck is shot against it. In a preferred form, the body is formed of tire chips, has an equilateral triangular or rectangular shape and has flat, parallel top and bottom surfaces.

[0007] The benefits of having a training device comprised of a conforming mass of resilient material are numerous. There are no moving parts to be concerned with and no adjustments necessary to ensure proper resilience of the device. There are no “dead zones” anywhere on the face of the device and therefore the puck will be returned to the shooter regardless of where on the face the puck is shot.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the resilient body forms one or more openings for receiving pins operative to secure the body to an ice surface. The openings preferably have an enlarged diameter on the bottom surface to allow fingers to easily grasp the pins for removal. The pins have sharp ends for penetrating the ice to allow the device to sit flush against the ice. Once in position, the device cannot be easily moved. Hence, there is no possibility that the puck can get lodged beneath the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the sports training device wherein the body is an equilateral triangle.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lower end of the sports training device showing one of the openings for receiving the ice securing pin.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sports training device wherein the body is a rectangle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the sports training device. The device 1 is comprised of a body 3 made from a moldable material consisting of about 91% by weight rubber chips, about 6% by weight of adhesive and about 3% by weight of dye. The overall weight of the device 1 is preferably about 26 Kg.

[0013] The body 3, when positioned on the ice 2 has three vertical faces 4, 6 and 8. Each vertical face 4, 6 and 8 is 36 inches long and 3 inches wide. A puck can be shot against any of the faces 4, 6 and 8 and will be reflected back with a velocity substantially the same as the velocity with which it was shot.

[0014] FIG. 2 is another preferred embodiment of the sports training device. The device 10 is comprised of a body 12 made from a moldable material consisting of about 91% by weight rubber chips, about 6% by weight of adhesive and about 3% by weight of dye. The overall weight of the device 10 is preferably about 18 Kg.

[0015] The body 12, when positioned on the ice 2 has four vertical faces 14, 16, 18 and 20. Vertical faces 14 and 18 are both 36 inches long and 3 inches wide. Vertical faces 16 and 20 are both 10 inches long and 3 inches wide. A puck can be shot against any of the faces 14, 16, 18 and 20 and will be reflected back with a velocity substantially the same as the velocity with which it was shot.

[0016] FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation view, partially cut away, of the device's ice securing pin arrangement. The body 3 contains one or more openings 22. The depth of the opening 22 is such that when a pin 26 is inserted into the opening 22 a sufficient portion of the pin 26 remains exposed so that the pin 26 can be embedded into the surface of the ice 2. In a preferred embodiment, the opening 22 has a lower portion 24 with an enlarged diameter to allow fingers to grasp the pin 26 for its easy removal.

Claims

1. A sports training device for rebounding a puck shot against it comprising a resilient body made from a moldable material comprising of elastomer chips or strips and adhesive having a side surface capable of rebounding the puck with a velocity substantially the same as the velocity with which it was shot.

2. A sports training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elastomer is tire chips.

3. A sports training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body contains one or more openings for receiving pins operative to secure the body to an ice surface.

4, A sports training device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said openings have an enlarged diameter on the bottom surface to allow fingers to grasp the pins for removal thereof.

5. A sports training device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the body is a three dimensional equilateral triangle having flat parallel top and bottom surfaces.