U.S. patent application number 11/266151 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-04 for method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal.
Invention is credited to Stuart Williams.
Application Number | 20060091610 11/266151 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36260925 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060091610 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Williams; Stuart |
May 4, 2006 |
Method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal
Abstract
A method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal is provided
that deflects objects directed toward the sports goal downward to
reduce the number of lost objects and to reduce the effort required
to retrieve objects projected outside of and within the sports
goal. The inventive method and apparatus increases practice time
devoted to improving skills and encourages players to project balls
to the periphery of the sports goal, as generally preferred in
competitive games. The apparatus is configured for attachment to a
sports goal with a goal opening defined by goal sides and a goal
top and includes an external frame surrounding the goal opening and
an external net attachable to the external frame. The apparatus may
further include an internal frame having an internal side edge
about the same length as one of the goal sides and an internal top
edge about the same length as the goal top, as well as a
concave-shaped internal net attachable to the internal frame.
Inventors: |
Williams; Stuart;
(Annapolis, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
39577 WOODWARD AVENUE
SUITE 300
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-5086
US
|
Family ID: |
36260925 |
Appl. No.: |
11/266151 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60624509 |
Nov 3, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/398 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/022 20130101;
A63B 63/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/398 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/00 20060101
A63B063/00; F41J 3/00 20060101 F41J003/00 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for attachment to a sports goal with a goal opening
defined by goal sides and a goal top, comprising: an external frame
surrounding said goal opening; and an external net being attachable
to said external frame, wherein movement of an object projected
outside of said goal opening and within said external frame is
controlled by said external net so that said object is deflected
proximate said sports goal.
2. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said external frame
has an external side edge greater in length than one of said goal
sides and an external top edge greater in length than said goal
top.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said external frame
and said external net are substantially coplanar to said goal
opening.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: an
internal frame having an internal side edge about the same length
as said goal sides and an internal top edge about the same length
as said goal top; and an internal net being attachable to said
internal frame, wherein movement of an object projected within said
goal opening is controlled by said internal net so that said object
is deflected downward proximate said goal.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said internal net
substantially covers an area of said goal opening.
6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said internal frame
further comprises curved battens and said internal net is
attachable to said battens for maintaining a concave shape of said
internal net.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a frame
support member having a first end and a second end, said first end
operatively connected to said external frame and said second end
supporting said external frame.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said frame support
member extends transversely from said external frame.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a support
holder configured to receive said second end of said frame support
member.
10. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a second
external net attachable to said external frame.
11. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
fastener for releasably fastening said external net to said
external frame.
12. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
plurality of frame support members.
13. An apparatus for attachment to a sports goal with a goal
opening defined by goal sides and a goal top, comprising an
internal frame having an internal side edge about the same length
as one of said goal sides and an internal top edge about the same
length as said goal top; and an internal net being attachable to
said internal frame, wherein movement of an object projected within
said goal opening is con-trolled by said internal net so that said
object is deflected downward proximate said goal.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising a
fastener for releasably fastening said internal frame to said
sports goal.
15. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said internal net
substantially covers an area of said goal opening.
16. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said internal frame
further comprises curved battens and said internal net is
attachable to said battens for maintaining a concave shape of said
internal net.
17. A method of modifying a sports goal with a goal opening, said
method comprising the following steps: providing an external frame
capable of being substantially coplanar to and surrounding said
goal opening; providing a frame support member for supporting said
external frame; and attaching an external net to said external
frame, said external net capable of being substantially coplanar to
and surrounding said goal opening, wherein movement of an object
projected outside of said goal opening and within said external
frame is controlled by said external net so that said object is
deflected proximate said goal.
18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising the following
steps: providing an internal frame within said goal opening; and
attaching an internal net to said internal frame for substantially
covering the area of said goal opening, wherein movement of an
object projected within said goal opening is controlled by said
internal net so that said object is deflected downward proximate
said sports goal.
19. A method according to claim 17 wherein said step of attaching
an external net to said external frame comprises the substeps of:
providing a fastener; and releasably fastening said external net to
said external frame with said fastener.
20. A method according to claim 18 wherein said internal net is
concave-shaped.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/624,509 filed Nov. 3, 2004, hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] a. Field of Invention
[0003] The invention relates generally to sports goals used in
sports such as lacrosse, soccer, hockey and the like, and, more
particularly to a method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal
by providing external and internal ball catcher nets for
controlling movement and deflection of balls directed towards the
goal net.
[0004] b. Description of Related Art
[0005] Sports goals are used in many sports and generally consist
of a frame with a net, where the objective is to project a ball
through the frame and into the net. When playing or practicing a
sport, there is generally a player centrally obstructing the
opening to the frame and/or net, limiting the area of which a ball
or the like can enter the goal. Therefore, it is ideal for players
to practice projecting a ball in proximity to the periphery of the
frame, as opposed to the generally obstructed central portion of
the frame. While practicing projection of balls or the like near
the frame periphery, the probability of projecting a ball outside
the frame is increased, requiring greater efforts in retrieving the
ball, whereas a ball projected inside the frame is retained in the
net. Likewise, even when a projected ball is retained in a net, the
standard sport frame and net combination creates goals with
horizontal depth, requiring effort to enter within the frame and to
search through the net in order to retrieve balls projected within
the goal.
[0006] In the art, there exists sports goals modified for targeted
projection near the frame periphery and sports goals decreasing
efforts in retrieving the ball. Known prior art are disclosed, for
example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,988 to Jensen et al. and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,895,330 to Reilly, Jr., the respective disclosures of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,988, as illustrated in FIG. 11,
discloses a recoil target 400 attached to a upper crossbar 406 of
lacrosse goal 402. A target sheet 410 recoils balls projected upon
the recoil target 400. The recoil target 400 acts as a target for a
player's projections, and the recoil capabilities decrease efforts
of retrieving balls projected directly at the device.
[0008] One exemplary drawback of the device is the limited surface
area of target sheet 410, Thus, only when a ball is directly
projected upon target 410 are the efforts in retrieving a ball
decreased. Therefore, the device does not assist a user to target
projections at the periphery of a goal; it merely assists users to
target projections to the target sheet. Additionally the device
does not reduce the effort required in retrieving balls projected
within the goal.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,330 to Reilly, Jr., as illustrated in
FIG. 2, discloses a modified sports goal for training a sports
player to direct objects into the preferred target areas. Goal
posts 36A, 36B and cross bars 38A-G retain a net 40 in a shape
defining a smaller goal in comparison to prior art or regulation
goals, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1. The device acts as a
traditional goal by allowing users to project objects through a
goal and into a net; however, the defined goal causes users to
target the projections to an area smaller than prior art goals and
of a different shape than prior art goals.
[0010] Although a smaller sports goal such as the goal disclosed in
Reilly, Jr. assists in training sports players to preferred target
areas, it also increases the probability of a player's projections
entirely missing the sports goal without providing any assistance
in ball retrieval. The Reilly, Jr. goal does not provide assistance
in retrieving balls missing the periphery of the small goal, nor
does the device decrease the amount of effort required in
retrieving balls retained within the goal. Another drawback is that
the device is a separate goal in and of itself, thereby acclimating
a player to a goal which would not be used in actual competitions,
as compared to an attachment for regulation sports goals that would
continue to acclimate a player to a goal used in actual
competitions.
[0011] Accordingly, there remains a need for a method and apparatus
for modifying a sports goal, which provides fast connection
capabilities to regulation sports goals, which is assists users in
targeting projections to the periphery of a regulation sports goal,
and which decreases the amount of effort required in retrieving
balls projected either around the periphery of the goal and/or
within the goal.
[0012] The invention solves the problems and overcomes the
drawbacks and deficiencies of prior art sports goals and/or sports
goal modifications by providing a novel method and apparatus for
modifying a sports goal.
[0013] An aspect of the present invention is to provide a method
and apparatus which is usable with existing regulation sports
goals, such as, but not limited to, a regulation lacrosse sport
goal, thereby reducing costs, storage space, and equipment
necessary for training a sports player.
[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
device that reduces the number of lost balls and/or the effort
required to retrieve balls that are projected outside the periphery
of the goal by controlling the movement of balls projected outside
the periphery and deflecting them downward proximate the goal. By
controlling the movement of balls projected outside of the
periphery of the goal, practice time devoted to improving sports
skills is increased, while time devoted to retrieving balls is
decreased. Furthermore, sports players are encouraged to practice
projecting balls to the periphery of the goal, as preferred in
actual competition.
[0015] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a
device that reduces the effort required to retrieve balls which are
projected within a goal.
[0016] The invention provides an apparatus for attachment to a
sports goal with a goal opening defined by goal sides and a goal
top. The apparatus comprises an external frame surrounding the goal
opening and an external net being attachable to the external frame,
so that movement of an object projected outside of the goal opening
and within the external frame is controlled by the external net so
that the object is deflected proximate the sports goal. The
external frame may have an external side edge greater in length
than one of the goal sides and an external top edge greater in
length than the goal top. The external frame and external net may
be substantially coplanar to the goal opening. The apparatus may
further include one or a plurality of frame support member having a
first-end and a second end. The first end may be operatively
connected to the external frame, and the second end supports the
external frame. The frame support member may extend transversely
from the external frame. The apparatus may further include a
support holder configured to receive the second end of the frame
support member. The apparatus may further include a second external
net attachable to the external frame. The apparatus may further
include a fastener for releasably fastening the external net to the
external frame.
[0017] The apparatus may further include an internal frame having
an internal side edge about the same length as the goal sides and
an internal top edge about the same length as the goal top and an
internal net being attachable to the internal frame, so that
movement of an object projected within the goal opening is
controlled by the internal net so that the object is deflected
downward proximate the goal. The internal net may substantially
cover an area of the goal opening. The internal frame may include
curved battens, and the internal net is attachable to the battens
for maintaining a concave shape of the internal net. The apparatus
may further include a fastener for releasably fastening the
internal frame to the sports goal.
[0018] The present invention also provides a method of modifying a
sports goal with a goal opening. The method may include the steps
of: providing an external frame capable of being substantially
coplanar to and surrounding the goal opening; providing a frame
support member for supporting the external frame; and attaching an
external net to the external frame. The external net may be capable
of being substantially coplanar to and surrounding the goal
opening, such that movement of an object projected outside of the
goal opening and within the external frame is controlled by the
external net so that the object is deflected proximate the goal.
The method may further include the steps of providing an internal
frame within the goal opening and attaching an internal net to the
internal frame for substantially covering the area of the goal
opening, so that movement of an object projected within the goal
opening is controlled by the internal net so that the object is
deflected downward proximate the sports goal. The internal net may
be concave-shaped. The method may further include the substeps of
providing a fastener and releasably fastening the external net to
the external frame with the fastener.
[0019] These and additional features, advantages, and embodiments
of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of
the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover,
it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the
invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and
intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope
of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred
embodiments of the invention and together with the detail
description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In
the drawings:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a related art sports
goal;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an external frame attachable
to the sports goal of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of external netting usable with
the external frame of FIG. 2; and
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of internal netting usable with
the sports goal of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several
views, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a related art sports goal and goal
attachment assemblies according to the present invention,
respectively.
[0026] Specifically, referring to FIG. 1, existing sports goals
such as goal 1 0 include a standard frame including front frame
member 12, transverse support frame members 14 and side frame
members 16. Frame members 12, 14, and 16 together provide support
for netting 18 as is known in the art.
[0027] In use, when a ball, such as but not limited to, a lacrosse
ball is shot (projected) towards a goal 10, optimally the ball is
directed towards the periphery of frame members 12 and 16 to avoid
stoppage thereof by a goalie or the like. Often, the ball misses
frame members 12 and/or 16 and is shot past the goal. In such
cases, the ball may be lost or may come to rest a considerable
distance away from the goal. The expense of replacing lost balls,
and further the time spent retrieving balls, is therefore of
significant concern as such time can significantly reduce the
amount of practice time of a given sport. Further, even if the ball
is shot within frame members 12 and 16 and into the goal, due to
the conical shape and horizontal depth of a typical goal (see FIG.
1), considerable effort and time is required to retrieve the ball
from within the goal.
[0028] The present invention aims to alleviate the aforementioned
drawbacks of the conventional goal of FIG. 1.
[0029] Specifically, referring to FIGS. 2-3, the first embodiment
of the sports goal according to the present invention includes
external ball catcher assembly 20 including external frame 22 and
external net 24. External frame 22 may include a plurality of outer
frame members 26, 28, each respectively supported by transverse
supports 30, 32. While supports 30 bear against frame members 14,
supports 32 fit within multiple support holder 34. Multiple support
holder 34 may be affixed to edge 36 of frame members 14 of an
existing sport goal.
[0030] When assembled in the configuration of FIG. 2, external
frame 22 may be fixed onto goal frame members 12 and 16 by means of
fasteners (not shown). These fasteners may be conventional in the
art and, in an exemplary embodiment, may comprise quick-release
fasteners. In another exemplary embodiment, the fasteners may be
color-coded for ease of assembly.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, external net 24 may then be
attached to frame members 12, 16 along inner edges 38 of net 24,
and to external frame 22 along outer edges 40 of net 24 with
fasteners (not shown). These fasteners may be conventional in the
art and, in an exemplary embodiment, may comprise quick-release
attachment fittings. Once attached, net 24 thus deflects balls shot
adjacent the edges of frame members 12, 16 towards the ground, thus
alleviating the problem of lost balls and reducing the time spent
retrieving balls.
[0032] Referring next to FIGS. 1 and 4, in order to further reduce
the time spent retrieving balls, internal ball catcher assembly 42,
including an internal frame 43 and internal net 44, may be
provided. Frame 43 may include curved battens 46 and frame member
48. As shown in FIG. 4, net 44 may be attached to curved battens 46
and frame member 48 to create a concave-shaped net 44. Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 4, internal ball catcher assembly 42 may be attached to
frame members 12, 16 with fasteners (not shown). These fasteners
may be conventional in the art and, in an exemplary embodiment, may
comprise quick release attachment fittings. As discussed above,
once attached, net 44 thus deflects balls shot within goal 10
towards the ground, thus alleviating the problem of lost balls and
reducing the time spent retrieving balls.
[0033] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and
modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art
without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *