Goalie Stand
Provided is a device for use by athletic teams, participants, and recreational groups for positioning in or in front of a goal to replicate a person acting as a goalie or defender. The device or “goalie stand” is durable, portable, mobile, and easily transportable for ease of use and movement or relocation. The goalie stand may be adjusted such that the height or width may be increased or decreased depending on the user's preference. The goalie stand may be a single continuous construction, or it may consist of two or more sections that are joined together by any one of a number of mechanical fastening means. The goalie stand may have adjustable components, such as a stick or arm, that can be positioned at various angles relative to the body of the stand. The goalie stand may be used on any surface, such as grass, dirt, artificial turf, or ice.
This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/686,334, entitled “Goalie Stand”, filed Apr. 4, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to sports equipment and training devices. More particularly, to a device for use in and around a goal for replicating a person performing the actions of a goalie or defender while participants attempt to shoot at or otherwise score a goal.
BACKGROUNDMany sports, at all levels from youth league to the professional ranks, have a need for testing or improving a player's skill at shooting a ball or puck at a goal, with the objective being to score a goal while the goal itself is being defended. Often times it is necessary or preferable to practice shooting skills at a time when a live person acting as the goalie or defender is not available. As such there is a need for a device that replicates the size, shape, and positioning of a live goalie or defender.
Currently, the practice devices available to replicate a goalie are cumbersome, non-durable, and do not present a realistic profile of a person defending a goal. These devices are often simply a net or tarp stung across the face of the goal. There exists, therefore, a need for a practice device or “goalie stand” that is: durable to withstand the impact of a ball or puck; realistic in terms of size, shape and profile, replicating that of a human goalie or defender; adjustable to account for various preferred heights and widths; and easily moveable or transportable.
SUMMARYThe methods and devices herein disclosed advance the art and overcome problems articulated above by providing a goalie stand for use by athletic teams and participants, as well as recreational sports enthusiasts, desiring to practice and improve their ball or puck shooting skills.
In particular, and by way of example only, according to an embodiment, presented is a device for replicating a human goalie defending a goal comprising a shaped, contiguous structure having the general form of a human and a goalie stick or other equipment. The device may include moveable and replaceable components, and may be adjustable, such that the device can be configured to meet the needs of a particular team, sport, or participant.
Before proceeding with the detailed description, it should be noted that the present teaching is by way of example, not by limitation. The concepts herein are not limited to use or application with one specific type of a goalie stand or one particular sport. Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for the convenience of explanation, shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments, the principles herein may be equally applied in other types of goalie stands or practice devices, in any and all sports which incorporate the use of a goal.
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Any number of base or “feet” or base designs may be incorporated into the present invention without departing from the intent described herein. The specific design will be driven, in large part, by both the surface on which the invention will be used and the stability required. Specifically, the base or “feet, whether part of an integrated design of the invention or included as an “add-on” component, may be box-shape (700,
Of note, the adjustment of the height and width, as well as the movement of components such as the goalie stick, may be accomplished, in at least one embodiment, by electronic or automated means, and may be controlled remotely. Further, and referring to
Changes may be made in the above methods, devices and structures without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description and/or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method, device and structure, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.
Claims
1. A device for replicating a human goalie defending a goal comprising a shaped, contiguous structure having the general form of a human and a goalie stick.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the device may be affixed to a goal.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein the structure includes a base secured to the ground by a mechanical fastener placed through a hole in the base and driven into the ground.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the base includes a section for retaining a material to add weight and stability to the structure.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the material is selected from a group consisting of: a liquid, sand, and dirt.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the structure is a mannequin.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the structure is affixed to a means for positioning the structure relative to a goal.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the means for positioning is a guide rail.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein the guide rail is selected from a group consisting of: a rail, a track, a groove, a slide, and a bar.
10. The device of claim 7 wherein the means for positioning is electronically controlled.
11. The device of claim 7 wherein the means for positioning is remotely controlled.
12. A device for replicating a human goalie defending a goal comprising: a top section, a center section, and a bottom section.
13. The device of claim 12 further consisting of a fastening means for joining together the top, center and bottom sections.
14. The device of claim 13 wherein the fastening means is selected from a group consisting of: interlocking tongue and groove, bolts, fasteners, snap-together components, Velcro®, straps, and concentric rings.
15. The device of claim 12 further comprising an extension for adjusting the height of the device.
16. The device of claim 12 further comprising a means for adjusting the width of the device.
17. A device for replicating a human goalie defending a goal comprising
- a shaped structure having the general form of a human goalie,
- one or more removable and adjustable components replicating goalie equipment, and
- a base along which the shaped structure may be moved to adjust the position of the shaped structure relative to a goal.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein the base is affixed to a goal.
19. The device of claim 17 wherein the shaped structure is inflatable.
20. The device of claim 17 wherein the shaped structure is moved along the base by a means selected from the group consisting of: a physical means, a mechanical means, a power means, an electrical means, and a remote control means.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 4, 2013
Publication Date: Oct 9, 2014
Inventor: Dennis Francis Yeatman (San Diego, CA)
Application Number: 13/856,508
International Classification: A63B 69/00 (20060101);