U.S. patent application number 09/835395 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for sports targeting system.
Invention is credited to Henson, Scott C..
Application Number | 20020151387 09/835395 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25269404 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020151387 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Henson, Scott C. |
October 17, 2002 |
Sports targeting system
Abstract
An improved sports targeting apparatus for use with a support
structure is provided. The improved sports targeting apparatus has
different sized openings each opening having a pocket for receiving
a sports object such as a hockey puck or a ball.
Inventors: |
Henson, Scott C.; (Toronto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHES, MCKENZIE & HERBERT, LLP
SUITE 1800
2 BLOOR STREET EAST
TORONTO
ON
M4W 3J5
CA
|
Family ID: |
25269404 |
Appl. No.: |
09/835395 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/446 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 63/00 20130101;
A63B 63/004 20130101; A63B 2024/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/446 |
International
Class: |
A63B 069/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A sports target apparatus for being removably connected to a
support structure, comprising a flexible impact resistant
target-containing sheet having a front target surface; means for
attaching the impact resistant target-containing sheet to the
support structure so that the front target surface of the
target-containing sheet is presented facing a player; a target on
the front target surface of the target-containing sheet; and at
least one opening in the front target surface located near the
target, the at least one opening having a pocket to define a
pocketed enclosure rearward of the at least one opening adapted to
receive a sports object.
2. The sports target apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible
impact resistant target-containing sheet is selected from the group
consisting of water proof cotton canvas, polyester, nylon,
polyethylene, PVC coated polyester scrim, neoprene and vinyl
sheeting.
3. The sports target apparatus of claim 2 wherein the flexible
impact resistant target-containing sheet is PVC coated polyester
scrim, neoprene and vinyl sheeting.
4. The sports target apparatus of claim 3 wherein the support
structure is a garage doorframe.
5. The sports target apparatus of claim 4 wherein the means for
attaching the impact resistant target-containing sheet consists of
at least one static cord having a first end attached to the impact
resistant target containing sheet and a second end attached to
fastening means located in or on the garage doorframe.
6. The sports target apparatus of claim 5 wherein the fastening
means consists of galvanized hooks, eyelets or metal hooks with
vinyl covering and the at least one flexible cord consists of nylon
rope, nylon band, cotton band, bungee cord, shock cord, static
cord, a strap made from hook and loop fasteners, twisted
polypropylene rope, seat belt webbing or heavy duty rubber tarp
strap.
7. The sports target apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target
consists of a hockey goalie.
8. The sports target apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target
consists of a lacrosse goalie.
9. The sports target apparatus of claim 1 wherein the target
consists of a baseball batter.
10. A method of playing a game using a sports target apparatus
removably connected to a support structure, the sports target
apparatus comprising a flexible impact resistant target-containing
sheet having a front target surface; means for attaching the impact
resistant target-containing sheet to the support structure so that
the front target surface of the target-containing element is
presented facing two or more players; a target on the front target
surface on the target-containing sheet; and two or more openings in
the front target surface located near the target, the two or more
openings being of different sizes, each two or more openings having
a pocket to define a pocketed enclosure rearward of the two or more
openings, the pocketed enclosure adapted to receive a sports
object; wherein the game is played by having each of the two or
more players take turns directing the sports object into the two or
more openings being of different sizes, each two or more openings
being of different sizes having different numerical values, each
player receiving the numerical value of one of the two or more
openings once the player directs the sports object into the pocket
enclosure of the opening, until one player reaches a predetermined
numerical value.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the flexible impact resistant
target-containing sheet is selected from the group consisting of
water proof cotton canvas, polyester, nylon, polyethylene, PVC
coated polyester scrim, neoprene and vinyl sheeting.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the flexible impact resistant
target containing sheet is PVC coated polyester scrim, neoprene and
vinyl sheeting.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the support structure is a
garage doorframe.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the means for attaching the
impact resistant target-containing sheet consists of at least one
static cord having a first end attached to the impact resistant
target containing sheet and a ground end attached to hooking means
attached to fastening means located in or on the garage
doorframe.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the fastening means consists of
galvanized hooks, eyelets or metal hooks with vinyl covering and
the at least one flexible cord consist of nylon rope, nylon band,
cotton band, bungee cord, shock cord, static cord, strap made from
hook and loop fastners, twisted polypropylene rope, seat belt
webbing or heavy duty rubber tarp strap.
16. The method of claim 10 wherein the target consists of a hockey
goalie.
17. The method of claim 10 wherein the target consists of a
lacrosse goalie.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein the target consists of a
baseball batter.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an improved sports
targeting system and more particularly to an improved sports
targeting system used for hockey, baseball and lacrosse. Still more
particularly, the present invention relates to a sports targeting
system, which is easily installed and is effective and durable.
Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method
of playing a game using the improved sports targeting system.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] A number of sports require a player to direct a sports
object, such as a baseball, hockey puck or a lacrosse ball to a
predetermined location. The predetermined location is relevant to
scoring in that particular sport. In order to improve the ability
to score, it is necessary for the player to practice placing the
sports object into the predetermined location.
[0005] Many prior art devices provide for sports targeting systems.
More specifically, there have been various attempts at providing
sports targeting systems with the aim of assisting perfection of a
player's ability to direct a sports object into predetermined
locations. Many sports targeting systems require that a goal, such
as a hockey goal, or other freestanding structure be used in
conjunction therewith.
[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,243 to Grispi teaches a
hockey target consisting of a vertical board having a plurality of
openings. The openings are directed through the board into a net of
a hockey goal to which the board is attached. Similarly, Canadian
Patent Application No. 2,141,396 to McCarrel, publicly available on
Jun. 13, 1996 provides a sports target system composed of flexible
targets attached to resilient stretchable cords which are attached
to a backdrop having a net (i.e. a hockey goal). Canadian Patent
No. 1,227,818 to Newell et al., publicly available on Oct. 6, 1987
and Canadian Patent No. 1,070,346 to Griggs, et al., publicly
available on Jan. 22, 1980 both provide target apparatuses secured
to the openings of standard hockey goals. Finally, Canadian Patent
Application Number 2,168,200 to Campbell, publicly available on
Jul. 27, 1997 provides a sports target apparatus attached to either
a free standing frame or an existing goal.
[0007] The disadvantage of such prior art devices is that they can
only be assembled on structures having a net. This lack of
flexibility in assembling such devices is a disadvantage in cases
where such a structure is not available. In some cases, players,
particularly children, may practice by shooting against garage
doors. The prior art devices provided above cannot be used in such
situations, as these devices cannot easily be attached to a garage
doorframe or other similar structure. Even if these devices could
be easily attached to the garage doorframe, the door itself may
become damaged due to the impact of the hard ball or hard puck shot
or thrown against it. Furthermore, the noise associated with the
impact of the hard ball or puck against the garage door is annoying
to those people in the vicinity of the player. Other prior art
devices have been devised in order to overcome the above-noted
problems. For example, Canadian Patent Application Number 2,118,256
to Bruhn, publicly available on Apr. 18, 1996, teaches a sheet of
rubberized fabric which is stretched between outer edges of a door
jam casing of a garage by flexible elastomeric cords. Such prior
art devices can be used with garage doors, garage doorway openings
and the like.
[0008] When using such prior art devices, the door is protected
from the impact and the sound of any impact is reduced. However,
these devices do not allow for any accurate scoring based on
hitting targets on the surface of the sports target. More
specifically, there is no means by which a game could be played in
which scoring is accomplished by accurately determining whether a
player has hit a target.
[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved
sports targeting system which is easily and quickly assembled,
easily and quickly disassembled and easily stored.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
improved sports targeting system which does not damage the
structure to which it is attached.
[0011] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide
an improved sports targeting system which improves a player's skill
level and in particular, the player's hand-to-eye coordination.
[0012] A yet further object of the present invention is to provide
an improved sports targeting system which improves a player's skill
level and hand-to-eye coordination by requiring that player to hit
a plurality of strategically placed targets.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
method of playing a game with accurate scoring.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] To this end, in one of its aspects, the present invention
provides an improved sports targeting system which is very easy to
assemble, dissasemble and maintain, is easy to use and is effective
in improving the skills of players of the sport to which the sports
target system is directed. Furthermore, the invention overcomes the
deficiencies of the prior art noted above.
[0015] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a sports target apparatus which is removably connectable to a
support structure, comprising a flexible impact resistant
target-containing sheet having a front target surface; means for
attaching the impact resistant target-containing sheet to the
support structure so that the front target surface of the
target-containing element is presented facing a player; at least
one target on the front target surface on the target containing
sheet; and at least one opening in the front target surface located
near the target, the at least one opening having a pocket to define
a pocketed enclosure rearward of the at least one opening adapted
to receive a sports object.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention
there is also provided a method of playing a game using a sports
target apparatus removably connected to a support structure, the
sports target apparatus comprising a flexible impact resistant
target-containing sheet having a front target surface; means for
attaching the impact resistant target-containing sheet to the
support structure so that the front target surface of the
target-containing element is presented facing two or more players;
a target on the front target surface on the target containing
sheet; and two or more openings in the front target surface located
near the target, the two or more openings being of different sizes,
each two or more openings having a pocket to define a pocketed
enclosure rearward of the at least one opening adapted to receive
an sports object; wherein the game is played by having each of the
two or more players take turns attempting to direct the sports
object into the two or more openings being of different sizes, each
two or more openings being of different sizes having different
numerical values, until one player reaches a predetermined
numerical value.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood,
the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by
way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred
embodiment of the invention secured to a garage door.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section view of the preferred
embodiments of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 or 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided an improved sports
targeting apparatus 10 attached to garage doorframe 11 so as to
have a space between garage door 11a and sports targeting apparatus
10. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that
another type of support structure could be used with sports
targeting apparatus 10 such as a playground fence, a pair of
upright goal posts or the like. A typical garage door is made using
a frame 8 feet by 7 feet or 16 feet by 7 feet in the case of a
double garage and the apparatus 10 has been designed with such
dimensions in mind. However, in can be designed to accommodate any
size of garage door. As shown in FIG. 1, sports targeting apparatus
10 is provided with a target-containing element or flexible sheet
15. It is preferred that flexible sheet 15 be made of material that
is durable, impervious to the elements, has low cold crack, has
high tensile strength, requires low maintenance and is sufficiently
heavy to hang properly. Materials that can be used include
waterproof cotton canvas, polyester, nylon, polyethylene, Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC) coated polyester scrim, neoprene, vinyl sheeting or
the like. Preferably, water proof cotton canvas material can be
used that consists of water-proof 100% single-filled cotton with a
wax coating which is water and rot resistant (e.g. DI2T.TM. Canvas
made by Inland Plastic Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario). Preferably, the
polyester material can be used that consists of polyester flag and
banner material (e.g. Oxford, Taffeta, or IP-18E.TM. made by Inland
Plastic Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario). The preferable nylon material
which can be used consists of all types of nylon (e.g. Dacron.TM.).
The preferred polyethylene material that can be used consists of
high density polyethylene woven fabric base complete with a low
density coating (e.g. Polyfabric.TM. made by Inland Plastic Ltd.,
Mississauga, Ontario). The PVC coated polyester scrim material that
can be used preferably consists of a dimensionally stable fibre
that will not stretch or shrink, has a very high tear strength, and
has low cold crack (e.g. IP10B72.TM. FR Banner Fabric, made by
Inland Plastic, Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario). Finally, the neoprene
material which can be used preferably consists of woven nylon
fabric. It is most preferable that 13 to 16 ounce, PVC coated
polyester scrim material be used. This is preferred as it is
durable, is impervious to the elements, has low cold crack, has
excellent printability, is inexpensive, is sufficiently heavy to
hang properly and has high tensile strength.
[0023] Sheet 15 is preferably a one-piece PVC coated polyester
scrim as noted above and, more preferably, is sized to fit standard
garage doorframes, (e.g. 8 feet by 7 feet or in the case of double
garages, 16 feet by 7 feet). One of the significant advantages of
the present invention is that the polyester scrim may be used with
standard garage doorframes and double garage doorframes and in fact
any garage doorframe of any size without changing the dimensions of
the polyester scrim. As explained hereinafter, the method of
attachment of the polyester scrim to the garage doorframes
accommodates doorframes of any size.
[0024] As seen in FIG. 1, on forward portion 20 of flexible sheet
15 there is provided sports FIG. 25 which is permanently printed on
sheet 15. Several methods of permanently printing sports FIG. 25 on
sheet 15 are well known in the art. Some of the preferred methods
of printing include screen printing, direct digital printing,
transferred digital printing, hand painting, airbrush printing, and
vinyl PVS graphics printing. Screen printing which utilizes four
colours is the preferred method due to its cost effectiveness, its
realistic imagery, and its rapid, large quantity reproduction rate.
Screen printing is also preferred as it is able to accommodate life
size dimensions of sports FIG. 25.
[0025] The preferred inks to be used in the printing process
consist of UV inks, multi-purpose inks, vinyl plus inks and gloss
vinyl inks. The most preferred ink to be used in the printing
process is a gloss vinyl ink due to its superior adherence,
durability, life expectancy and its excellent match to polyester
scrim.
[0026] The printing process can be used to reproduce several types
of sports figures on sheet 15. In a preferred embodiment, sports
FIG. 25 is a graphical representation of a hockey goaltender (see
FIG. 1). Other preferred embodiments consist of a lacrosse goalie
51 and a baseball batter 60, (see FIGS. 2 and 3). It will be
understood that other sports figures characteristic of other sports
could also be used (i.e. soccer goalie or the like). One of the
attractive features of the apparatus of the present application is
that the sports figures may be depicted based on realism and with
life-like dimensions.
[0027] Sheet 15 is also provided with openings 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d
and 30e directed through the forward wall 20. It will be understood
by a person skilled in the art that any size and combination of
openings can be provided in sheet 15. In addition, it will be
understood by a person skilled in the art that additional openings
may be provided or openings may be deleted.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, openings
30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e are positioned around hockey goaltender
25 so as to provide a variety of targets at which a player can aim
and shoot. As shown in FIG. 1, the openings 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and
30e are each of a different size and shape. This is also to provide
a player with varying levels of difficulty. The smaller the target,
the greater the skill the player must have in which to place a
projectile through the opening.
[0029] Each of openings 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e are provided
with pocket 35 fixedly attached to rear surface 40 of sheet 15.
Pocket 35 can made of material that is durable, adheres well to the
material of sheet 15 and has low cold crack. For example, pocket 35
can consist of material similar to that used for sheet 15 or,
additionally, can consist of nylon mesh netting or PVC coated woven
polyester scrim mesh. The PVC coated woven polyester scrim mesh is
preferred due to the variety of colour choices available, its
durability, its ability to adhere well to the material of sheet 15,
its low cold crack properties and its aesthetic appeal.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, pockets 35 are attached to rear surface
40 and corresponds to openings 30a and 30c. Similarly, other
pockets 35 are attached to rear surface 40 and correspond to
openings 30b and 30d. Pocket 35 can consist of a solid material or
an inlaid mesh so as to form a pocket into which a hockey puck or
ball can gather once a player has shot or thrown the hockey puck or
ball through one of the openings 30a or 30c. A player shoots or
throws a hockey puck or ball at one opening 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d or
30e so that the puck or ball goes through the opening and into
pocket 35. Pocket 35 arrests the puck or ball so that it does not
strike the garage door 11a or so that it does not return to the
player. The puck or ball merely comes to rest in pocket 35. Such an
opening with pocket 35 allows for accurate scoring when two players
are playing a game in accordance with the present invention, as
will be described later in the disclosure. Pocket 35 prevents the
hockey puck or ball from impacting with garage door 11a. As there
is no impact by the puck or ball on garage door 11a, the hockey
pucks or balls do not damage garage door 11a and produce
significant less noise.
[0031] Sheet 15 is provided with eyelets or grommets 45a, 45b, 45c,
and 45d that are located around the periphery of sheet 15. Grommets
45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d are of standard construction well known in
the art. For example, the corner grommets may have a four corner
hole re-enforcement structure, well known in the art. They may also
consist of metal grommets. The metal grommets are preferred due to
their low cost. As would be obvious to a person skilled in the art,
the periphery of sheet 15 can be folded over or otherwise
strengthened to increase its durability. A person skilled in the
art will also understand that any combination of grommeting which
adequate fixes sheet 15 to a garage doorframe 11 in front of garage
door 11a would be obvious. Sheet 15 can be attached to the garage
doorframe 11 and held taut by static cords 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d.
Static cords 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d are respectively secured to
grommets 45a, 45b, 45c, and 45d of sheet 15 and also secured in or
to garage doorframe 11 by conventional fastener means well known in
the art. Static cords 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d may consist of nylon
rope or bands, cotton bands, bungee cords, shock cords, static
cords, straps made of a hook and loop material, twisted
polypropylene rope, seat belt webbing or heavy duty rubber tarp
straps. Preferably, the heavy duty rubber tarp straps are natural
rubber with U.V.1. additives having hooks installed. Static cord is
preferred due to its cost, durability and ease of adjustment for a
variety of garage door sizes. In the case of a standard garage
doorframe, no static cord is required since the fastener means as
explained hereinafter are used to secure the sheet 15 to the garage
doorframe. The conventional fastener means for attaching the
flexible cords to the garage doorframe are well known in the art
and can consist of galvanized hooks, eyelets or metal hooks with
vinyl covering. The preferred fastener means are metal hooks with
vinyl coating due to their durability, ease of installation and
their aesthetic appeal. Preferably, the fastener means can screw
into garage doorframe 11 and be removed for easy assembly and
dissassembly of the sports targeting apparatus 10.
[0032] The sheet 15 can be assembled in front of a garage door by
attaching static cords 50a, 50b, 50c and 50d to the garage
doorframe 11 by way of conventional fastener means (not shown) so
that forward wall 20 with goaltender 25 is facing away from the
garage door 11a and towards a player.
[0033] Once sheet 15 is attached to garage doorframe 11, the player
can aim, shoot or throw a hockey puck or a ball at the canvas 15 in
order to place the hockey puck or the ball through the openings
30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e and into pockets 35.
[0034] FIGS. 2 and 3 provide other preferred embodiments of the
present invention.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, there is provided a lacrosse goaltender
51 on forward surface 20. There is provided openings 55a, 55b and
55c with netting 35 similar in structure and function to openings
30a, 30b, 30c, 30d and 30e of FIG. 1. In the case of the preferred
embodiment of FIG. 2, the player will be a lacrosse player instead
of a hockey player.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, there is provided a batter 60 on forward
surface 20. There is provided openings 65a, 65b and 65c with
netting 35 similar in structure and function to openings 30a, 30b,
30c, 30d and 30e of FIG. 1. In the case of the preferred embodiment
of FIG. 3, the person playing the game will imagine that they are a
baseball pitcher instead of a hockey player.
[0037] With the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 3 attached to a
garage door 11, there is also provided a method of playing a game
in which the openings are assessed at point value depending on the
size and shape of the opening. In general, the smaller the opening,
the greater the point value. For example as shown in FIG. 1, the
two large openings, 30a and 30C will have a specified point value.
The two smaller openings will have a greater specified point value.
A numerical value will be predetermined and the players will take
turns shooting or throwing the hockey puck, lacrosse ball or
baseball at the various targets to amass points. Once a player
reaches the predetermined value a winner is declared.
[0038] A person skilled in the art will understand that the sports
targeting device could be easily configured for additional sports
that require similar skills.
[0039] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since no modification
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described and, accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents will be resorted to following within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *