U.S. patent application number 12/976360 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-07 for hockey net carrier apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mesa Digital, LLC.. Invention is credited to Robert Lopez.
Application Number | 20110165973 12/976360 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44225015 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110165973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lopez; Robert |
July 7, 2011 |
HOCKEY NET CARRIER APPARATUS
Abstract
A sports net carrier apparatus that includes a carrier having a
vertical frame supported by at least two wheels, and a hook member
connected to the vertical frame at a substantially top section of
the vertical frame. The hook member rotatably engages with a
horizontal top portion of a sports goal to connect the vertical
frame of the carrier to permit a movement of the sports goal by
moving the carrier via the at least two wheels. The hook member
includes a curved portion for engaging the top portion of the
sports goal. The hook member can be locked to the vertical frame of
the carrier by a cross bar connected to the vertical frame at the
substantially top section of the vertical frame.
Inventors: |
Lopez; Robert; (Scottsdale,
AZ) |
Assignee: |
Mesa Digital, LLC.
|
Family ID: |
44225015 |
Appl. No.: |
12/976360 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61292089 |
Jan 4, 2010 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/478 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62B 2202/40 20130101;
A63B 63/004 20130101; A63B 2071/025 20130101; B62B 1/14 20130101;
A63B 71/0036 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/478 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/00 20060101
A63B063/00 |
Claims
1. A sports net carrier apparatus, comprising: a carrier having a
vertical frame supported by at least two wheels; and a hook member
connected to said vertical frame at a substantially top section of
said vertical frame, wherein said hook member rotatably engages
with a horizontal top portion of a sports goal to connect said
vertical frame of said carrier to permit a movement of said sports
goal by transporting said carrier through a movement of said at
least two wheels.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hook member comprises a
curved portion for engaging said top portion of said sports
goal.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hook member is locked to
said vertical frame of said carrier by a cross bar connected to
said vertical frame at said substantially top section of said
vertical frame.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sports goal includes and
maintains a sports net.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said curved portion comprises a
bottom-pipe arrangement to which said sports net is secured.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hook member is rotatable
between an unlocked position or a locked position with respect to
said horizontal top portion of said sports goal.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sports goal comprises an
ice hockey goal.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sports goal comprises a
field hockey goal.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sports goal comprises a
lacrosse goal.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sports goal comprises a
soccer goal.
11. A hockey net carrier apparatus, comprising: a carrier having a
vertical frame supported by at least two wheels; and a hook member
connected to said vertical frame at a substantially top section of
said vertical frame, wherein said hook member rotatably engages
with a horizontal top portion of a sports goal to connect said
vertical frame of said carrier to permit a movement of said sports
goal by transporting said carrier through a movement of said at
least two wheels, wherein said hook member comprises a curved
portion for engaging said top portion of said sports goal.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said hook member is locked to
said vertical frame of said carrier by a cross bar connected to
said vertical frame at said substantially top section of said
vertical frame.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said sports goal comprises a
sports net.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said curved portion comprises
a bottom-pipe arrangement to which said sports net is secured.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said hook member is rotatable
between an unlocked position or a locked position with respect to
said horizontal top portion of said sports goal.
16. A sports net carrier apparatus, comprising: a carrier having a
vertical frame supported by at least two wheels; and a hook member
connected to said vertical frame at a substantially top section of
said vertical frame, wherein said hook member rotatably engages
with a horizontal top portion of a sports goal to connect said
vertical frame of said carrier to permit a movement of said sports
goal by transporting said carrier through a movement of said at
least two wheels, wherein said hook member is locked to said
vertical frame of said carrier by a cross bar connected to said
vertical frame at said substantially top section of said vertical
frame.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said hook member comprises a
curved portion for engaging said top portion of said sports
goal.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said sports goal includes a
sports net.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said curved portion comprises
a bottom-pipe arrangement to which said sports net is secured.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said hook member is rotatable
between an unlocked position or a locked position with respect to
said horizontal top portion of said sports goal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
[0001] This nonprovisional patent application claims the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Ser. No. 61/292,089 filed on Jan. 4, 2010, entitled "Hockey Net
Carrier Apparatus," which is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments are generally related to nets utilized in
sports, such as ice hockey, field hockey, roller hockey, lacrosse,
soccer and so forth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Goals are used in many games such as ice hockey, soccer,
football, etc. In a typical goal implementation, two goals be
mounted at opposite ends of a hockey rink, and each goal comprises
two goal posts, a crossbar, support struts and an optional net and
has a front. The goal posts are typically made of rigid material,
are mounted upright and have a top ends. In some case, the crossbar
is made of a rigid material or steel and is connected to the top
ends of the goal posts called a cross bar, to form a squared off or
tapered inverted-U shape. The support struts are also made of a
rigid material, or steel and are attached are inserted into the
goalposts and extend down away from the front to hold the goalposts
and crossbar upright to the ice surface. The net is attached to the
crossbar, goalposts and support struts to catch and hold a puck
within the goal.
[0004] When goals need to be removed from, for example, a hockey
rink, after a game or practice, the nets have to be removed from
the ice surface during the resurfacing process and very larger
areas must be used to store the goals nets. Since goals often have
many, large pieces, the goals can be very inconvenient to assemble,
dismantle and move. It is actually more convenient simply to move
the entire goal in one piece. However, most goals are heavy and
cumbersome to move and may require two or more individuals to lift
the goal and then move it elsewhere. If nets are dragged, for
example, the rough ice can destroy the netting and net bibs causing
an added expense every year. By utilizing the disclosed Hockey net
carrier, which is described in greater detail herein, the nets can
be protected during transport.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0005] The following summary is provided to facilitate an
understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the
present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A
full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments
disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification,
claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole.
[0006] It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to
provide for a hockey net carrier apparatus.
[0007] It is another aspect of the present invention to provide for
a hockey goal carrier apparatus having a hook member for engaging
and securing a sports goal for transportation of the goal.
[0008] The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and
advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A hockey net
carrier apparatus that includes a carrier having a vertical frame
supported by at least two wheels, and a hook member connected to
the vertical frame at a substantially top section of the vertical
frame. The hook member rotatably engages with a horizontal top
portion of a cross bar to connect the vertical frame of the carrier
to permit a movement of the hockey net by moving the carrier, which
includes and is connected to at least two wheels. The hook member
includes a curved portion for engaging the top portion of the cross
bar. The hook member can be locked to the vertical frame of the
carrier by a cross bar connected to the vertical frame at the
substantially top section of the vertical frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals
refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the
separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the
specification, further illustrate the present invention and,
together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to
explain the principles of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a goal carrier apparatus with respect to
a user, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a hook member of the goal carrier
apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 in an unlocked position, in accordance
with a preferred embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates the hook member of the goal carrier
apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-2 in an locked position, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment; and
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a user whose foot is placed on a bottom
portion of the apparatus with the hook member engaged in a locked
position as in FIG. 3, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment.;
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates movement of the goal carrier apparatus
for transportation of the sports goal, in accordance with a
preferred embodiment; and
[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates additional movement of the goal carrier
apparatus for transportation of the sports goal, in accordance with
a preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The particular values and configurations discussed in these
non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to
illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit
the scope thereof.
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a goal carrier apparatus 100 with respect
to a user 101 of the apparatus 100, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment. Note that in FIGS. 1-6 identical or similar parts are
generally indicated by identical reference numerals. In general,
the carrier apparatus 100 can be configured to include a vertical
frame 113 supported by and above two or more wheels 109, 111. The
wheels 109, 111 of the apparatus 100 are connected to the vertical
frame 113. The carrier apparatus 100 also includes a hook member
117, which is connected to the vertical frame 113 at a
substantially top portion of the vertical frame 113 for engaging a
sports goal 102. The sports goal 102 can be, for example, a hockey
goal utilized in ice hockey or a goal utilized in other sports,
such as, for example, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and so
forth.
[0018] The user 101 can employ the carrier apparatus 100 to
transport the sports goal 102 from one location to another by
grabbing and holding a curved bar 115, which is connected to the
frame 113 of carrier apparatus 100. The sports goal 102 includes a
net 105 that is attached to and supported by a goal frame 104,
which includes vertical portions 108 and 112 and an upper
horizontal portion 110. The goal frame 104 further includes a
horizontal curved section 107 that is also connected to the net
105. The curved section 107 can be configured as a bottom-pipe,
which in the context of hockey, rests on ice, and to which the net
105 can be secured. The goal frame 104 additionally includes a
lower horizontal portion 106 located between and connected to and
supportive of the vertical portions 108 and 112.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates in greater detail the hook member 117 of
the sports goal carrier apparatus 100 depicted in FIG. 1 in an
unlocked or open position, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment, and prior to engagement with the sports goal 102. The
hook member 117 can rotate along the general direction of arrow 127
to engage the upper horizontal portion 110 of the carrier apparatus
100. In the illustration depicted in FIG. 2, the hook member 117 is
shown as unengaged from the upper horizontal portion 110 of the
apparatus 100. The hook member is connected to a bar 125 at a
preferably centrally position 119 located between end screws and
123.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates the hook member 117 of the sports goal
carrier apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1-2 in a locked position, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment. As indicated in FIG. 3, the
hook member engages the horizontal portion of the sports goal 102.
When the hook member is surrounds and engages the upper horizontal
portion of the sports goal 102, the apparatus 100 can be employed
to move the sports goal easily to a different location.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a user 101 whose foot is placed on a
bottom portion of the apparatus 100 with the hook member 117
engaged in a locked position as in FIG. 3, in accordance with a
preferred embodiment. The user 101 can now readily move the sports
goal 102 using the apparatus 100. The user 101 can hold the curved
bar 115, which is connected to the frame 113 of carrier apparatus
100, to provide additional stability during transportation of the
goal 102. Note that the curved bar 115 can also constitute a handle
that can be gripped by the user 101.
[0022] FIG. 5-6 illustrates additional movement of the goal carrier
apparatus 100 for transportation of the sports goal 102, in
accordance with a preferred embodiment. As indicated in FIGS. 5-6,
a user may additionally lower the sports goal 102 at an angle using
the apparatus 100 for movement of the goal to a different
location.
[0023] It will be appreciated that variations of the
above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives
thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different
systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or
unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or
improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in
the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following
claims.
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