Sports goal including a rebounder for returning a scoring object to a player

Abstract

A rebounder for use with a sport goal that receives a scoring object. The sport goal includes a goal frame having a left upright member, a right upright member and a crossbar extending between the left upright member and the right upright member. The goal frame further includes an open area for receiving a scoring object. The rebounder includes a rebound member for returning a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts the rebound member. The rebound member has a tension member. The tension member is configured to return a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts the tension member. The rebound member further includes at least one connector for connecting the rebound member to the sports goal such that the position of the rebound member relative to the sports goal can be adjusted while the rebound member is attached to the sports goal. Preferably, the rebounder can be readily collapsed and moved to a storage position while connected to the sport goal. In the storage position, the rebounder does not obstruct the sport goal. Preferably, the rebounder is configured to be removably attached to a sport goal with little or no alteration to the sport goal.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to sports goals and a rebounder for returning a scoring object to a player. Preferably, the rebounder is pivotally connected to the sport goal so that it can be moved between a storage position and at least one operating position. The rebounder is preferably configured such that it can be used with an official size sport goal with minimal or no alteration to the sport goal. In the most preferred form of the present invention, the sport goal is a lacrosse goal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous sports that require players to direct a scoring object into a goal. These sports include but are not limited to lacrosse, ice hockey, field hockey and soccer. While the present invention is not limited to a particular sport, it is extremely well suited for sports like lacrosse, field hockey, ice hockey and soccer. There is a significant need for equipment that will allow sport participants to hone their skills, particularly those skills directed to scoring.

One sport that the present invention is particularly well suited to assist players in improving their scoring skills is lacrosse. Lacrosse is one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States. Youth participation in lacrosse has grown over five hundred percent since 1999 to nearly 250,000 participants. No sport has grown faster at the high school level over the past ten years and there are now an estimated 200,000 high school players. Lacrosse is also the fastest growing sport over the last six years at the NCAA level. There are estimated to be over five hundred college club programs including some two hundred women's teams.

There are a number of lacrosse goals presently on the market. Examples of lacrosse goals that are presently available can be seen at www.Lacrosse.com. A number of existing lacrosse goals do not have any ability to rebound the lacrosse ball to the player. While rebounders are available as can be seen at www.Lacrosse.com, existing rebounders suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, some existing rebounders such as freestanding rebounders are not representative of an official size goal. This is disadvantageous as it requires the purchase of both a relatively expensive freestanding rebounder as well as an official size goal significantly increasing the costs to schools and organizations seeking to improve the skills of their lacrosse players. Also, some existing rebounders merely roll the ball back to the shooter. Further, existing rebounders are not configured to be used with official size lacrosse goals with minimal or no alteration to the lacrosse goals. Moreover, existing rebounders do not permit the return path (i.e., the path the ball is returned to the shooter) to be readily and significantly varied. These are just some of the drawbacks of existing systems that the preferred form of the present invention is designed to overcome.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and unobvious sport goal and rebounder for returning a scoring object to a player.

Another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a rebounder that can be readily attached to an official size sports goal.

A further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a rebounder that when attached to a sports goal can be readily moved between a first operating position in which the rebounder will return a scoring object to a shooter and a second storage position in which the rebounder does not obstruct the scoring area of the sport goal.

Yet another object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide an rebounder that allows a user to readily adjust the path that the scoring object is returned to the user.

Still a further object of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a rebounder that can be readily stored when not in use.

These and other objects of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. It must be understood that no one embodiment of the present invention need include all of the aforementioned objects of the present invention. Rather, a given embodiment may include one or none of the aforementioned objects. Accordingly, these objects are not to be used to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention.

In summary, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a sport goal for receiving a scoring object. The sport goal includes a goal frame having a left upright member, a right upright member and a crossbar extending between the left upright member and the right upright member. The goal frame further includes an open area for receiving a scoring object. A rebound member is removably connected to the goal frame for returning a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts the rebound member. The rebound member further includes a rebound frame and a tension member operably associated with the rebound frame. The tension member is configured to return a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts the tension member.

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a rebounder for use with a sport goal that receives a scoring object. The sport goal includes a goal frame having a left upright member, a right upright member and a crossbar extending between the left upright member and the right upright member. The goal frame further includes an open area for receiving a scoring object. The rebounder includes a rebound member for returning a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts the rebound member. The rebound member has a tension member. The tension member is configured to return a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts the tension member. The rebound member further includes at least one connector for connecting the rebound member to the sports goal such that the position of the rebound member relative to the sports goal can be adjusted while the rebound member is attached to the sports goal.

A further preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a rebounder for use with a sport goal that receives a scoring object. The sport goal includes a goal frame having a left upright member, a right upright member and a crossbar extending between the left upright member and the right upright member. The goal frame further includes an open area for receiving a scoring object. The rebounder includes a rebound member for returning a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts the rebound member. The rebound member has a tension member. The tension member is configured to return a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts the tension member. The rebound member further includes at least first and second sections. The first section is connected to the second section such that the first section can move relative to the second section. The second section has at least one leg for supporting the rebound member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rebounder formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a rebounder and lacrosse goal formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the rebounder in one of numerous operating positions.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a rebounder and lacrosse goal formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a portion of the netting of the lacrosse goal removed so that the rebounder in its storage position can be readily seen.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a rebounder and lacrosse goal formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a portion of the netting of the lacrosse goal removed and the rebounder depicted in a number of positions including a storage position, partially folded positions and one of numerous operating positions.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view depicting one of two preferred connecting members for removably connecting the rebounder to a lacrosse goal with all netting removed so that the preferred manner of connection can be readily seen.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view depicting one of two preferred connecting members for removably connecting the rebounder to a lacrosse goal with all netting removed so that the preferred manner of connection can be readily seen.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred form of one of two retaining members for holding the rebounder in a preferred storage position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a lacrosse goal and rebounder formed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention with the netting of the lacrosse goal removed so that the rebounder can be readily seen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The preferred forms of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-8. The appended claims are not limited to the preferred forms and no term and/or phrase used herein is to be given a meaning other than its ordinary meaning unless it is expressly stated that the term and/or phrase shall have a special meaning.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a rebounder A formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in one of many possible configurations. Rebounder A includes a frame B and netting C connected to frame B. Rebounder A is pivotally connected to a lacrosse goal D by connectors 2 and 4. While only the details of connector 2 are illustrated (see FIGS. 5 and 6), connector 4 is identical to connector 2. This connection allows the rebounder A to be readily moved between a storage position depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 and numerous operating positions. It will be readily appreciated that any suitable connectors may be used for connecting rebounder A to lacrosse goal D.

Preferably, lacrosse goal D is the same size as an official size lacrosse goal (i.e., 6′ wide, 6′ high and 7′ deep). The lacrosse goal preferably includes a left post 6, a right post 8, a crossbar 9, a pair of inclined support members 10 and 12 and a pair of horizontally extending support members 14 and 16. Lacrosse goal D may be formed as one piece or multiple interconnected pieces. While a lacrosse goal is disclosed as the most preferred type of sport goal, it will be readily appreciated that the sport goal can be any type of goal in which rebounding of a scoring object to a shooter is desired.

Referring to FIG. 1, frame B of rebounder A includes a first section 18 and a second section 20. The second section 20 is pivotally connected to the lower portion of first section 18 such that the second section 20 can move relative to the first section 18 between a storage position in which the second section 20 is folded on the first section 18 (see FIG. 3) and a position in which the second section 20 is aligned with the first section 18 (identified by reference letter E in FIG. 4). Stops 22 and 24 restrict the outward rotation of second section 20.

When rebounder A is in the storage position, first section 18 is aligned with inclined support members 10 and 12. Second section 20, in the storage position, is disposed above inclined support members 10 and 12 as is seen in FIG. 4. By storing rebounder A in this manner, rebounder A does not obstruct lacrosse goal D in any way when not in use. Referring to FIG. 7, inclined support members 10 and 12 have a retaining member 26 pivotally connected thereto. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7, when rebounder A is in the storage position, retaining members 26 extend under the corresponding portion of first section 18 to support rebounder A in a position that does not obstruct lacrosse goal D in any respect. It will be readily appreciated that the retaining members 26 may be pivotally secured to the frame B as opposed to lacrosse goal D.

Second section 20 of frame B includes adjustable legs 28 and 30. As legs 28 and 30 are of an identical construction, only leg 28 will be described in detail. Leg 28 includes a first portion 32 that is slidably received within a second portion 34. Second portion 34 includes a plurality of openings 36 extending therethrough. First portion 32 also includes the same number and size of openings extending therethrough. A suitable retaining member (e.g. a pin) is inserted through a desired opening in second portion 34 and first portion 32 to achieve the desired length of leg 28. By adjusting the length of legs 28 and 30, the position of rebounder A may be readily varied. For example, by adjusting legs 28 and 30, rebounder A can be aligned with posts 6 and 8, positioned to extend forward of posts 6 and 8 or positioned to extend rearward of posts 6 and 8. By varying the orientation of rebounder A, the return path of the scoring object can be readily varied.

Referring to FIG. 1, netting C can extend beyond the outer perimeter of frame B. Netting C may also include a border 35 formed of a suitable material (e.g., elastomeric material) with hooks 36 secured to and extending outwardly from border 35. Referring to FIG. 1, hooks 36 engage the corresponding posts 6 and 8 so that netting C covers areas outside the perimeter of frame B. When rebounder A is in the storage position, hooks 36 on one side of frame B may be interlocked with hooks 36 on the other side of frame B.

As seen in FIG. 8, netting C need not extend outside the perimeter of frame B. It will also be appreciated that netting C may be connected to frame B in any suitable manner. Further, the tension of netting C may be varied as desired to vary the rate at which the scoring object is returned to the shooter. Moreover, the size of the openings in the netting may be varied as the size of the scoring object varies to prevent the scoring object from passing through any opening in netting C.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that the preferred design can be further modified or adapted following in general the principles of the invention and including but not limited to such departures from the present invention as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains. The claims are not limited to the preferred embodiment and have been written to preclude such a narrow construction using the principles of claim differentiation.

Claims

1. A sport goal for receiving a scoring object, said sport goal comprising:

(a) a goal frame including a left upright member, a right upright member and a crossbar extending between said left upright member and said right upright member, said goal frame further including an open area for receiving a scoring object; and,

(b) a rebound member removably connected to said goal frame for returning a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts said rebound member, said rebound member further including a rebound frame and a tension member operably associated with said rebound frame, said tension member being configured to return a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts said tension member.

2. A sport goal, as set forth in claim 1, further including:

(a) goal netting operably associated with said goal frame, said goal netting and said goal frame defining a goal area; and,

(b) said rebound member being pivotally connected to said goal frame such that the position of said rebound member relative to said open area of said sports goal can be readily varied.

3. A sport goal, as set forth in claim 1, further including:

(a) means for varying the position of said rebound member relative to said goal frame to vary the return path of the scoring object back to the player.

4. A sport goal, as set forth in claim 3, wherein:

(a) said means for varying includes at least one adjustable leg.

5. A sport goal, as set forth in claim 1, further including:

(a) means for permitting said rebound member to be moved from a storage position in which the open area of said sport goal is unobstructed by said rebound member and an operational position in which said rebound member is positioned adjacent said open area to permit a scoring object to be returned to a player when the scoring object impacts said rebound member, said rebound member being connected to said sport goal in both said storage position and said operational position.

6. A sport goal, as set forth in claim 5, further including:

(a) means for holding said rebound member in said storage position.

7. A sport goal, as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

(a) said sport goal is a lacrosse goal; and,

(b) a first portion of said rebound member is tapered such that said first portion when in said storage position conforms to the shape of an adjacent portion of said lacrosse goal.

8. A rebounder for use with a sport goal which receives a scoring object, the sport goal includes a goal frame having a left upright member, a right upright member and a crossbar extending between the left upright member and the right upright member, the goal frame further including an open area for receiving a scoring object, said rebounder comprising:

(a) a rebound member for returning a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts said rebound member, said rebound member having a tension member, said tension member being configured to return a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts said tension member, said rebound member further including at least one connector for connecting said rebound member to the sports goal such that the position of the rebound member relative to the sports goal can be adjusted while said rebound member is attached to the sports goal.

9. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 8, further including:

(a) a rebound frame operably associated with said tension member, said rebound frame includes a first section and a second section section, said first section being connected to said second section such that said first section can move relative to said second section.

10. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 9, wherein:

(a) said first section is pivotally connected to said second section such that said first section and said second section can be folded onto each other when said rebound member is not in use.

11. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 10, wherein:

(a) said first section and said second section each include a tension member configured to return a scoring object back to a player.

12. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 11, wherein:

(a) said second section includes at least one support leg that engages a playing surface when said rebound member is in use.

13. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 12, wherein:

(a) the length of said at least one support leg is adjustable to permit the angle the rebound member forms with the playing surface to be varied.

14. A rebounder for use with a sport goal which receives a scoring object, the sport goal includes a goal frame having a left upright member, a right upright member and a crossbar extending between the left upright member and the right upright member, the goal frame further including an open area for receiving a scoring object, said rebounder comprising:

(a) a rebound member for returning a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts said rebound member, said rebound member having a tension member, said tension member being configured to return a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts said tension member, said rebound member further including at least first and second sections, said first section being connected to said second section such that said first section can move relative to said second section, said second section having at least one leg for supporting said rebound member.

15. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 14, further including:

(a) a substantially rigid frame for supporting said tension member; and,

(b) a connector for removably connecting said rebound member to the sport goal.

16. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

(a) said second section includes at least two support legs, each of said support legs includes a first segment and a second segment, said first segment is movable relative to said second segment to vary the length of each of said two support legs.

17. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

(a) said second section includes a rod that extends between said two support legs and maintains said two support legs at a desired length.

18. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 17, wherein:

(a) each of said first segment and said second segment of said two support legs includes a plurality of openings; and,

(b) said rod includes first and second ends, said first end of said rod extends into one opening in said first segment and one opening in said second segment of one of said two support legs, said second end of said rod extends into one opening in said first segment and one opening in said second segment of the other of said two support legs.

19. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 16, wherein:

(a) at least one of said two support legs includes means for preventing said rebound member from moving along the playing surface when in use.

20. A rebound member, as set forth in claim 14, wherein:

(a) said first section is pivotally connected to said second section such that said first section and said second section can be folded onto each other when not in use; and,

(b) a stop member fixed to said first section, said second section being disposed relative to said stop member such that said second section can move approximately 180 degrees between a storage position and an operational position.