Soccer practice net

Abstract

A practice soccer goal comprising an outer frame including two horizontal support members, one at the top and one at the bottom of the practice goal, and two vertical support members, one on the right and one on the left of the practice goal, thereby forming a rectangular frame. The rectangular frame surrounds and supports a rectangular netting, the rectangular netting secured to the horizontal support members with a hook between each end of the horizontal support members and each corner of the horizontal corners rectangular netting. The rectangular netting is secured to the vertical support members with a hook between each end of the vertical support members and the vertical corners of the rectangular net. A vertical extension pole is adjustable in length and adapted to tension the netting in the vertical dimension enabling the net to be attached to the frame without the necessity of a ladder or other such accessory.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

None

INCORPORATION BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soccer is a game played worldwide. Scoring occurs when a ball is kicked by an offensive player past an opposing defensive player, known as a goalie, attempting to prevent entry of the ball into a goal. When the offensive player is unsuccessful, the defensive player often has merely obstructed or deflected the inbound ball away from the face of the goal, thereby returning the ball to play. Typically, the defensive player's attempt to prevent the offensive player from scoring a goal is effective. The defensive player's occasional failures to prevent passage of the ball might be considered as allowing holes in goal coverage. These holes in goal coverage can be targeted and thereby exploited by experienced offensive players.

The aspiring offensive soccer player can benefit from practicing and training in front of a goal. Such practicing and training promote more frequent success in scoring goals by improving the offensive player's effectiveness in kicking the soccer ball past the goalie and into the goal by recognizing and exploiting holes in the goalie's defense of the goal. Both novice players and more experienced players can benefit from practicing and training with a static simulation incorporating reproducible and repeatable defensive targets.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A practice goal is disclosed that is capable of mounting to the inside of a standard soccer goal frame allowing a participant to kick a soccer ball towards the net thereby improving their soccer skills. Normally these frames are 8 feet high and 24 feet wide. The soccer net is attached to a soccer frame with uniquely designed removable corner hooks, top hooks, as well as Velcro® adjustable straps.

The net is attached to the side posts using detachable and adjustable Velcro® straps that allow for different tension settings, from moderately loose to tight, to control the rebound of the ball. The net is provided with design patterns to assist the athlete in targeting different areas of the net. This further assists the athlete by creating images in their mind through visualization of those patterns when repeatedly kicking the ball when using various skill exercises.

An adjustable vertical pole is utilized enabling the user to attach the net precluding the necessity of a step device or ladder to place the net on the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the practice net assembled with the netting (3) tensioned between the tubular frame (2).

FIG. 2 shows hooks (4) and (5) that are used to secure netting (3) to the tubular frame (2).

FIG. 3 shows adjustable vertical extension pole (17).

FIG. 3A shows the top of vertical extension pole (17).

FIG. 4 shows the Velcro® side strap member (9) in detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is a soccer practice goal (1) comprising outer frame (2) that encloses and supports netting (3). Although FIG. 1 shows only the top, left hand side of the soccer practice goal, it is understood that the unseen three corners are identical and symmetric about the vertical and horizontal axis. The frame (2) could be any size, but a frame that is 8 feet high and 24 feet wide is the existing standard. In the preferred embodiment outer frame (2) is comprised of tubular members of circular cross-section, although other cross-sectional shapes are considered to be within the scope of invention. Normally outer frame (2) is hollow to reduce weight, but solid members are within the scope of the invention. Hooks (4) and (5) are provided at each of the two top corners and two bottom corners, the hooks (4) and (5) securing netting (3) to outer frame (2). Outer frame (2) comprises two vertical frame members (6) and two horizontal frame members (7), connected to form a rectangular frame. Any conventional method of connection between the vertical support members (6) horizontal support members (7) is within the scope of the invention. Further, the outer frame (2) could be made one-piece. Alternately either the vertical support members (6) or the horizontal support members (7) are bent at 90 degrees, and the other of the vertical support members (6) or the horizontal support members (7) register and interfit to form the rectangular outer frame (2). Such tubular interfitting members are conventionally used to assemble tubular frames, as with common tent frames. A tubular frame member (2) provided in several pieces is convenient to both store and transport.

Corner hooks (4) secure netting (3) to top and bottom of vertical support members (6) and corner hooks (5) secure netting (3) to left and right of horizontal support members (7). Additionally, at least one hook (8) secures netting (3) to the center of upper horizontal support member (7) and at least one hook (8) secures netting (3) to the center of lower horizontal support member (7). Although FIG. 1 shows one hook (8), any number of hooks (8) can be utilized as desired. As seen in FIG. 1, including the three unseen symmetric corners, there are a total of ten hooks securing the netting (3) to the tubular frame (2). Further, at least two micro hook and loop Velcro® fasteners (9) are provided to secure netting (3) to each of the two vertical support members (6), one fastener (9) on each of the two vertical support members (6). Again, although two Velcro® fasteners are shown in FIG. 1, any number of Velcro® fasteners (9) can be used. As seen in FIG. 1, Velcro® fasteners (9) are located on the centers of vertical support members (6). Velcro fasteners (9) also serve the purpose of tensioning netting (3) within outer frame (2) assuring that netting (3) remains snug within outer frame (2), also allowing easy and rapid set-up and when adjusting as required during practice sessions. With the fasteners and hooks arranged in this fashion, the practice net is symmetrical about both a vertical and horizontal centerline, thereby equalizing and uniformly distributing any mechanical stresses throughout the practice net.

Referring to FIG. 2, corner hook (4) includes a channel (10) for attaching the outer peripheral rope border (11) of netting (3). Corner hook (5) is identical to corner hook (4) and need not be described or shown separately. Preferably border rope (11) of netting (3) is a braided rope section to which the soccer goal netting is secured. As best seen in FIG. 2, channel (10) is dimensioned to surround border rope (11) more than 270 degrees but less than 360 degrees. On the opposite end of hook (4) a semi-circular segment (12) is provided that is adapted to snap over horizontal support members (6) and vertical support members (7). Semi-circular segment (12) curves approximately 180 degrees or more around the end of hooks (4) and (5). As seen in FIG. 1, hook (4) is aligned at 90 degrees from hook (5); hook (4) is thereby adapted to connect to vertical support members (6) and hook (5) is adapted to connect to horizontal support member (7). Border rope (11) is formed in a right angle at the four corners of net (3). Hooks (4) and (5) are located near the corners of net (3) such that hook (4) faces vertical support member (6) and hook (5) faces horizontal support member (7). A triangular reinforcement member (20) bridges inside of the right angles at the four corners of border rope (11) to strengthen the border rope (11) and maintain a solid 90 degree corner of border rope (11). Preferably corner reinforcement member (20) is secured within two hollow tubes (21), the two tubes forming a right angle, where border rope (11) extends through hollow tubes (21). Additionally, all the hooks are provided with cut-outs where the netting perpendicularly crosses the border rope (11).

Referring to FIG. 3, vertical extension pole (17) is shown in greater detail. Vertical extension pole (17) is used to assist in the attachment of net (3) to horizontal support member (7). The top of vertical extension pole (17), seen in FIG. 3A, is provided with an outwardly flaring flange member (18). As seen in FIG. 3A, a channel (19) extends across the top of flange member (18). Because the frame member is normally 8 feet high, extension pole (17) facilitates assembly of the net (3) to frame (2) without the need of a ladder or other such means.

An important feature of the invention is the telescoping nature of vertical extension pole (17). In use, the netting (3) is attached to the two vertical support members (6) with hooks (4) and the lower horizontal support member (7) with hooks (5). Side straps (9) can be secured at this time as well, or later as desired. Next vertical extension pole (17) is used to push the top horizontal portion of rope (11) upwardly, tightening the net (3). The rope (11) is then attached to the top horizontal support member (7) utilizing hooks (5). Velcro® straps (9), if not previously attached, can next be attached or adjusted if previously attached.

Adjustable sleeves (13) are provided in the center of vertical extension pole (17). The purpose of adjustable sleeve (13) is two-fold. First, adjustable sleeve (13) allows vertical extension pole (17) to be compactly stored and transported. Second, the adjustable length of vertical pole (17) enables easy assembly of practice goal (1) without the necessity of a ladder or other means to reach the top horizontal support member (7). Obviously another advantage of extendable pole (17) is that extendable pole (17) allows rapid adjustment of net (3), such as when net (3) needs to be tightened due to loosening or stretching during soccer practice.

Adjustable sleeves (13) incorporate conventional telescoping functions as are commonly used in such devices as extendable tent poles or boat hooks, and are well known in these arts. The tubes are rotated and released to allow telescoping to the desired length, then rotated in the opposite direction to lock the inside and outside tubes and prevent relative sliding between the telescoping sections.

FIG. 4 shows Velcro® fastener (9) in detail. Velcro® fastener (9) is constructed from a single piece of fabric with micro hooks (14) on the inside one terminal end of the fabric and micro loops (15) on the inside of the opposite terminal end. Fastening means (16), such as a stud or screw and bolt bifurcate the fabric strip forming a channel through which the vertical support member (6) extends. Velco® type fastening also allows easy tightening of the net should the net loosen during use.

Conveniently the net (3) is provided with design patterns shown as patterns. Patterns can be any suitable figure, for example a stooped goalie. The purpose of design patterns is to give the participant an object to visualize and focus upon while practicing. Hooks can be used to secure the figures to the net, or Velcro® fasteners could conveniently utilized.

Claims

1. The combination of a practice soccer goal and an extension pole, the practice soccer goal comprising a rectangular outer frame including two horizontal support members, the horizontal support members comprising a top horizontal support member and a bottom horizontal support member, and two vertical support members, the two vertical support members comprising a right vertical support member and a left vertical support member, thereby forming the rectangular outer frame, the rectangular outer frame surrounding and supporting a rectangular netting, the rectangular netting secured to the horizontal and vertical support members the rectangular netting surrounded with a border rope, wherein the rectangular netting is secured to the rectangular outer frame with hooks connecting the border rope to the horizontal and vertical support members the extension pole comprising telescoping tubes that can be locked at different lengths, wherein the extension pole can be used to tighten the rectangular net within the outer rectangular frame without the need of a ladder.

2. The practice goal and extension pole of claim 1 wherein the vertical and horizontal support members are hollow tubular members.

3. The practice goal and extension pole of claim 2 wherein the vertical or horizontal support members bend at ninety degrees forming four corners, and the two horizontal support members register and interfit with the two vertical support members at the corners to form the rectangular outer frame.

4. The practice goal and extension pole of claim 3 wherein the hooks include corner hooks to secure the netting to the four corners of the rectangular outer rectangular frame.

5. The practice goal and extension pole of claim 4 including at least two additional hooks, adapted to secure the rectangular netting to each of the two horizontal support members, and further including at least two micro hook and loop fasteners provided to secure the rectangular netting to each of the two vertical support members for the purpose of tensioning the rectangular netting within the rectangular outer frame and assuring that the rectangular netting remains snug within the rectangular outer frame.

6. The practice goal and extension pole of claim 4 wherein the corner hooks include a channel on one end for attaching the border rope of the rectangular netting, the channel dimensioned to surround the border rope by more than 270 degrees but less than 360 degrees, and on an opposite end of the corner hook a semi-circular segment that is adapted to snap over both the upper and lower horizontal support members.

7. The practice goal and extension pole of claim 1 including a triangular reinforcement member to bridge the inside of the right angles at the four corners, the triangular reinforcement member including hollow tubes through which the border rope extends to strengthen the border rope and maintain a solid 90 degree corner of border rope.

8. The practice goal and extension pole of claim 1 wherein the extension pole has an adjustable length and a center, the extension pole comprising adjustable sleeves provided in the center of the extension pole, to allow the extension pole to be compactly stored and transported, as well as to adjust the length of the extension pole, to enable assembly of the practice goal without the necessity of a ladder or other means to reach the top horizontal support member.

9. The practice goal and extension pole of claim 8 wherein the adjustable sleeves telescope and lock together at a desired length.