SPORTS GOAL NETS
The present invention provides an apparatus to stop and/or return shots for use with a sports goal net having a goal frame with a pair of posts and a cross bar connected to one end of each of pair of posts. The pair of posts and top cross bar defining a goal opening. The apparatus includes a first side deflector, shaped to cover part of the goal opening, and connected to one of the pair of posts by a first connector means adapted to permit the first side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position in front of the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post. A second side deflector, shaped to cover the remaining part of the goal opening, is connected to the other of said pair of posts by second connector means adapted to permit the second side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position in front of the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post. When in the closed position, the sports goal net can be used as a practice device for shooting and increasing accuracy of movable objects, such as pucks or balls or the like, whereby the objects are deflected back to the user for ease of self practice.
The present invention relates to apparatus to stop and/or return shots for use with sports goal nets. In particular, this invention relates to apparatus for use with a sports goal net that can be used for playing street hockey, ball hockey, inline hockey, ice hockey or can be used as a practice shooting device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSports players, such as hockey players, need to practice shooting skills. In the case of hockey, ice time can be limited so many players, particularly children, practice shooting against a garage door or in a basement etc. In addition younger players and adults often have ball hockey games in the street. There is a need for a sports goal net that can return stray shots that normally have to be retrieved, stopping play or practice. As many amateur hockey players are children with limited skill in assembly, it is advantageous to have sports goal nets that are portable, easy to use and are safe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an apparatus to stop and/or return shots for use with a sports goal net having a goal frame with a pair of posts and a cross bar connected to one end of each of said pair of posts. The pair of posts and top cross bar define a goal opening. A support section is provided to enable the goal frame to be free standing. Netting or other suitable covering is attached to the goal frame behind the goal opening. The improvement of the present invention comprises apparatus to stop and/or return shots directed at the sports goal net. The apparatus of the present invention can be adjusted to stop and return shots that are wide or above the goal opening or shots that are in the goal opening. A first side deflector, shaped to cover part of the goal opening, is connected to one of the pair of posts by first connector means adapted to permit the first side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position in front of the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post. In one embodiment the first side deflector is sized to fit within the goal opening to thereby cover a part of the goal opening. A second side deflector, shaped to cover the remaining part of the goal opening, is connected to the other of said pair posts by second connector means adapted to permit the second side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position in front of the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post. In one embodiment the second side deflector is sized to fit within the goal opening to thereby cover the remaining part of the goal opening not covered by the first side deflector.
In another aspect of the present invention the support section of the sports goal net comprises an upper support section and a base section, where the upper support section and base section are spaced apart by one or more vertical supports. A top deflector is connected to the support section to permit the top deflector to move from a first position above the goal opening to a stored position. The top deflector may be moved from the first position above the goal opening to a stored position by a variety of methods. Two methods are by telescoping the top deflector in and out of the vertical supports for the support section or by pivotally connecting the top deflector to the upper support section.
In drawings which illustrate by way of example two different embodiments of the invention,
Similar references are used in different figures to denote similar components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTReferring to
In the embodiment shown in
The method of connection of the first and second side deflectors 8,10 to the posts 3,4 of the goal frame 2 to permit the first and second side deflectors 8,10 to rotate about the posts 3,4 from a first position covering the goal opening 6 to one or more open positions to the outside of the posts 3,4 may vary. In the embodiment shown in
As noted above,
In the embodiment illustrated in
As best shown in
Referring to
In the embodiment shown in
The method of connection of the side deflectors 108,110 to the posts 103,104 of the goal frame 102 to permit the first and second side deflectors to rotate about the posts from a first closed position within the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of the posts may vary. In the embodiment shown in
As noted above,
The support section 107 of the sports goal net 100 comprises an upper support section 135 and a base section 129, where the upper support section 135 and base section 129 are spaced are apart by one or more vertical members generally indicated at 136. The upper support section 135 in the embodiment illustrated in
The connecting means for joining the support section 107 to the goal frame 102 comprises in this embodiment a pair of right angle three-way elbows 124 and pair of lower two way elbows 127. With respect to the right angle three-way elbows 124, there are three outlets, two of which permanently connect the upper support section 135 and the top cross bar 105 respectively. A downward facing outlet of right angle three-way elbows 124 releasably connects to the top 125 of the front post 103,104.
As best shown in
The sports goal net of the present invention may be fabricated from any suitable material, most preferably one that is water resistant, light weight, durable, and easy to clean, such as a highly durable plastic or plastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride.
Numerous modifications, variations, and adaptations may be made to the particular embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims.
Claims
1. Apparatus to stop and/or return shots for use with a sports goal net having a goal frame with a pair of posts and a cross bar connected to one end of each of said pair of posts, the pair of posts and top cross bar defining a goal opening, said apparatus comprising:
- a first side deflector, shaped to cover part of the goal opening, connected to one of the pair of posts by first connector means adapted to permit the first side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position in front of the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post, and
- a second side deflector, shaped to cover the remaining part of the goal opening, connected to the other of said pair of posts by second connector means adapted to permit the second side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position in front of the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a support section is provided to enable the goal frame to be free standing.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first and second side deflectors can be adjusted to stop and return shots that are wide of the goal opening or shots that are in the goal opening.
4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the support section of the sports goal net comprises an upper support section and a base section, where the upper support section and base section are spaced apart by one or more vertical supports.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a top deflector is connected to the support section to permit the top deflector to move from a first position above the goal opening to a stored position.
6. A sports goal net comprising:
- a goal frame having a pair of posts and a cross bar connected to one end of each of said pair of posts, said pair of posts and top cross bar defining a goal opening;
- a support section to enable the goal frame to be free standing; and
- netting attached to said goal frame behind said goal opening;
- wherein a first side deflector shaped to fit within the goal opening is connected to one of said pair of posts by first connector means adapted to permit the first side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position within the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post; and
- a second side deflector shaped to fit within the goal opening is connected to the other of said pair of posts by second connector means adapted to permit the second side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position within the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post.
7. A sports goal net as claimed in claim 6, said goal frame having a support section having an upper support section and a base section, said upper support section and a base section spaced apart by a pair of rear posts.
8. A sports goal net as claimed in claim 6 wherein a top deflector is connected to the support section to permit the top deflector to move from a first position above the goal opening to a stored position.
9. A sports goal net as claimed in claim 8 wherein the top deflector comprises a pair of opposite side members linked by a cross member at one end and wherein a second end of said opposite side members telescope out of a top end of one of the pair of rear posts on said support section into a first position above the goal opening and telescope into the rear posts to a stored position.
10. A sports goal net as claimed in claim 8 wherein the top deflector comprises a pair of opposite side members linked by a first cross member at one end and a second end of said opposite side members is linked by a second cross member, the top deflector connected to said upper support section to permit the top deflector to rotate from a first position above the goal opening to a stored position below the upper support section.
11. A sports goal net as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said first and second side deflectors have a frame comprising top and bottom cross members and a first vertical member, each of said top and bottom cross members having a first end remote from said goal frame, and wherein said vertical member is connected to the first end of each of the top and bottom cross members.
12. A sports goal net as claimed in claim 11 wherein a second end of each of said top and bottom cross members of the first side deflector is pivotally connected to one of the pair of posts that define the goal opening and a second end of each of said top and bottom cross members of the second side deflector is pivotally connected to the other one of the pair of posts that define the goal opening.
13. A sports goal net as claimed in claim 11 wherein the frame of each of said first and second side deflectors further comprises a second vertical member connected to the second end of each of the top and bottom cross members and the second vertical member of the first side deflector is pivotally connected to one of the pair of posts that define the goal opening and the second vertical member of the second side deflector is pivotally connected to the other one of the pair of posts that define the goal opening.
14. A sports goal net as claimed in claim 1, further comprising removable targets attached to said goal frame.
15. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the first and second side deflectors can be adjusted to stop and return shots that are wide of the goal opening or shots that are in the goal opening.
16. A sports goal net as claimed in claim 6, further comprising removable targets attached to said goal frame.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 13, 2007
Publication Date: Mar 18, 2010
Applicant: Target Master Net Inc. (St. Catherines, ON)
Inventors: Edward Plut (St. Catherines), Diana Deley (St Catherines)
Application Number: 12/514,912
International Classification: A63B 63/00 (20060101); A63B 69/00 (20060101);