PORTABLE SOCCER PRACTICE TARGET |
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申请号 | EP11818474.6 | 申请日 | 2011-08-12 | 公开(公告)号 | EP2605841B1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2015-04-01 |
申请人 | Pettys, Jeffrey C.; Oughton, Duncan E.; | 发明人 | Pettys, Jeffrey C.; Oughton, Duncan E.; | ||||
摘要 | |||||||
权利要求 | |||||||
说明书全文 | The present invention relates to the field of portable soccer goal targets which can be removably affixed to a soccer goal at given locations to enable an individual to practice kicking a soccer ball through the soccer goal at specific desired locations. In general the concept of having targets affixed to soccer goals or other types of athletic structures is known. The following 23 patents and published patent applications are relevant.
The Morgan Patent involves a game which represents a multiplicity of rings to shoot at as a target or to aim it as a target as described. The Kenney Patent essentially is a target for practice through which a ball may be thrown or kicked. The structure is essentially on the ground and as best illustrated from the side view, has a rectangular shaped board 10 having an opening 12 through which the ball can be thrown and kicked. Behind the structure is a netting 28 through which the ball can fall through to be retrieved. The Griggs Patent discloses a hockey target which is affixed to the side of a hockey net by the affixing means shown in The Stromback Patent discloses a baseball pitchers target. Specifically, the target is a donut shaped member 12 hung from a string 11 and placed in what is typically known as a "strike zone". Clearly, the target is in the mid section of the strike zone. Specifically, the patent discloses:
The Baker Patent discloses a football target practice member which includes having a boom 16 so that the target can be moved to different locations and repositioned after the ball has been thrown through the target. In concept this embodies the general concept of having a target for a football but it is not specifically focusing on soccer and the target can be on any type of structure as the goal is to present a moving target which can be repositioned so that a football can be thrown through the target. The LeBel Patent deals with creating targets for a hockey goal post and they can be fixed to the goal posts as shown in The Maloney Patent is a design patent which discloses the concept of having a target affixed to the top posts of a structure to form a soccer goal but there is no indication that this is part of a soccer post arrangement and simply appears to be an arranged post so that someone can kick a soccer ball through the central goal. The Pallanca Patent discloses a large framework for providing soccer targets at different locations including the upper left and upper right portion as shown in The Chiang Patent discloses a ball game device which contains a target with a receiving end on the bottom so that the ball can fall into the net after it goes through the target. The Leras Patent discloses:
The Moss Patent discloses a soccer practice apparatus which in broad concept focuses on placing on a soccer goal a target in the upper left and upper right quadrant as shown. However, the device is an L-shaped member 12 which is affixed by fastening means 22 and therefore the way the device is fastened requires time to attach it and disconnect it. The Masin Patent is a portable shot target device which can be affixed to a hockey goal post by a clamping device 18 to create a basket to shoot the hockey puck. The Franklin Patent discloses a football target game wherein a target is bolted to a frame assembly so that a football can be thrown through it. The Lee Patent discloses a movable target for a sports goal. Essentially it is a target that is suspended from the upper cross bar by movable straps 22 so that the target can be moved along the horizontal length of the goal. The MacNichol Published Patent Application discloses having a target suspended by two elastic suspension means 20 wrapped around the upper post. The Coltrane Patent discloses a goal shot training system where a multiplicity of straps are wrapped around the goal to break the goal into different sections for aiming a soccer or other ball. The Bains Patent discloses an apparatus for defining a target which contains a pair of telescoping members that have adjoining tubular members that are wrapped around right angle locations on the first and second section of a cross bar of a goal to form a target in the upper left or upper right portion of the goal. The Smith Patent discloses the concept of having multiple straps affixing targets at different locations in the soccer goal posts. The affixation method is described as follows:
The McAdams Patent discloses effectively hanging a target over the net but the hanging incorporates having a dumbbell shaped target so that it not only hangs over the upper cross bar but rests on the ground as well. The Birss Patent is still in full force and effect and is a target apparatus for a sports goal. The targets are mounted by mounting brackets on the various sides or behind the posts as illustrated. The Hensley Published Patent Application discloses hanging members 21 which serve to hang the target over a vertical post. The Prince Published Patent Application discloses a target which is effectively hooked to the mesh netting as shown in The Mah Patent discloses an electronic target apparatus which is affixed to the side posts of a goal and has means to register a signal when an object has been shot through or kicked through the goal. The Daskoski Patent discloses a training aid which is set at the location where a batter would be standing at home plate so that a pitcher can practise throwing a ball in what is considered the "strike zone". There is a significant need for an improved target apparatus which can be quickly removed from a soccer goal which target enables an individual to aim at certain specific desired areas which are the most difficult areas for a goalie to defend. According to the present invention there is provided a portable target for use with a soccer goal having at least first vertical post, a second vertical post, and an upper horizontal crossbar of a given cross-sectional shape, and a retaining a soccer net, the portable target comprising: a. a flexible frame made of flexible material and having at least a first longitudinal side wall with a first lengthwise side and a second longitudinal side wall with a second lengthwise side, the frame enclosing an interior opening which functions as a target; b. the flexible frame having a first interior lengthwise channel adjacent first longitudinal sidewall, the first interior channel having an open top and a closed bottom; c. the flexible frame having a second interior lengthwise channel adjacent second longitudinal sidewall, the second interior channel having an open top and a closed bottom; d. a first elongated connecting rod having a top end, a flexible connecting member retained adjacent the top end of the first connecting rod, the flexible connecting member having an opening and terminating in a hook, the first connecting rod received in and retained in the first interior lengthwise channel so that the hook extends out of the top opening of the first interior lengthwise channel; and e. a second elongated connecting rod having a top end, a flexible connecting member retained adjacent the top end of the second connecting rod, the flexible connecting member having an opening and terminating in a hook, the second connecting rod received in and retained in the second interior lengthwise channel so that the connecting hook extends out of the top opening of the second interior lengthwise channel; wherein each opening of each hook section of each retaining rod is configured to receive a portion of the upper crossbar such that the portable target is removably affixable to the upper crossbar of the soccer goal. The present invention is a portable target which can be quickly and removably affixed to the top post of a soccer goal to provide a target to enable an individual to practice kicking the soccer ball in the upper left quadrant or the upper right quadrant of a soccer goal which are the most difficult portions of the goal for a goalie to defend. The present invention enables an individual to stand on the ground and to lift the target over the goal posts and through an improved affixing hook, enables the target to be quickly affixed to the top horizontal crossbar of a goal post and moved to a specific location anywhere along the top horizontal crossbar, but preferably at a location so that the target is positioned in the upper right quadrant or the upper left quadrant of the soccer goal which are the most difficult locations for a goalie to defend. The portable goal is designed with rods that enable an individual to stand on the ground and lift the portable target so that it can be lifted over the top horizontal crossbar of the soccer goal and then set in place. This is a significant improvement over prior art targets where an individual must stand on a ladder to affix the target to the soccer goal or alternatively the target cannot be quickly and removably affixed to the soccer goal but needs to be affixed by more permanent means with an individual standing on a ladder or other structure so they can reach the height of the upper portions of the soccer goal to affix the target thereto. An embodiment of the present invention eliminates this time consuming effort by having elongated rods with curved hook attaching members designed in a manner that enables an individual to stand on the ground and simply lift the target so that the curved hook attaching members can be extended over the top horizontal crossbar of a soccer goal and then lowered onto the top horizontal crossbar of a soccer goal to be removably affixed thereto. This saves a lot of time and effort in not requiring an individual to affix the target to a soccer goal in a more permanent manner and also eliminates the need to have ladders or other structures on which the individual must stand. Therefore, the present invention significantly reduces the time that it takes to affix the target to the soccer goal and also enables the target to be very quickly removed from the soccer goal. Therefore, in addition to facilitating practice of kicking the soccer ball at any time when the game is not going to be played, it also makes it possible to have an individual practice kicking the soccer ball immediately before a game and thereafter the target can be quickly removed before the game starts. A portable target embodying the invention can be quickly disassembled and carried in a carrying bag or pouch and then quickly assembled at the location of the soccer goal. If a soccer target embodying the invention is made out of flexible material and if the flexible material has a pair of receiving openings at either transverse end to receive a longitudinal shaft having a hook connecting member at its upper end, then the target can be easily placed over the upper horizontal crossbar of a soccer goal because the target is of sufficient height that an individual can stand on the ground and raise the target above his head until the hooked ends of the attaching members rest over the horizontal crossbar of the soccer goal and then can be lowered so that the hook members retain the target on the upper horizontal crossbar at any desired location. If the leading edge of each hook has a rounded end, then this facilitates placing the hook over the top of the horizontal crossbar of the soccer goal in a more efficient and quick manner. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitutes a part of the specification, illustrate one embodiment of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated:
Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. Referring to The frame 500 contains an interior channel on either lengthwise side. Referring to By way of example, the exterior dimensions of the frame 500 can be a height or length "L1" of approximately 41 inches and a width "W1" of approximately 36 inches. The interior target can have a height or length "L2" of approximately 29 inches and a width of approximately 27-1/2 inches. This is assuming that the soccer goalpost itself has a horizontal width "W3" of approximately 24 feet and has a height "H1" of approximately 8 feet. Received within each channel 700 and 800 is a connecting rod 900. Referring to Connected at the proximal end 906 of first connecting rod section 910 is a flexible connecting member 908 which receives a curved hook retaining member 940. At its proximal end 930 the hook retaining member 940 is retained onto the connecting member 908 by rivets or other affixation means. The hook retaining member 940 comprises a generally arc shaped section 950 which terminates in a rounded transverse tip 960. The curved retaining hook 940 has an interior retaining opening 970 which is surrounded for approximately three quarters of its circumference by arc shaped section 950. An opening 980 between transverse tip 960 and proximal end 930 leads to interior retaining opening 970. This illustration assumes that the top horizontal crossbar 110 of the soccer goalpost is round. It will be appreciated that the top horizontal crossbar 110 of the soccer goalpost can have any cross-sectional shape which includes round, square, rectangular etc. Therefore, the hook retaining member 940 will have a section 950 which has a shape which conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the top horizontal crossbar 110 of the soccer goalpost. One key aspect of the present invention is the design of the hook member 940. Currently, the hook is made of metal which is thin enough to allow it to bend (flexible) to expand when needed to be pulled or snapped over the top horizontal crossbar 110 of the soccer goalpost 100 when in use or released or pushed off the top crossbar after use, whether the crossbar is round, square or even rectangular. Soccer goal posts are manufactured with round bars, square bars and even rectangular bars. Furthermore, the diameter of the bars being used to construct the soccer goals are varying dimensions. Therefore, the interior section 950 of the hook 940 will have a diameter that conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the horizontal crossbar so that it can be snapped in place over the horizontal crossbar. The transverse lip 960 on the end of the hook of the flexibility of the metal together allow the target to be used on types and sizes of soccer goals. As illustrated in As illustrated in The flexible material of the frame 500 is sufficient tight so that the connecting rods 900 are retained by a press fit within the respective channels 700 and 800 of frame 500. It is also within the spirit and scope of the present invention to have additional fastening members at the top of connecting rod 900 to fasten the connecting rods to the frame 500. The entire apparatus in illustrated in place on a soccer goal in Top horizontal crossbar 110 is connected at its first end 112 to the top end 122 of first vertical post 120 and connected at its second end 114 to the top end 132 of second vertical post 130. Lower horizontal wall 116 is connected at its first end 115 to rear end 127 of first transverse bottom wall 126 and connected at its second end 117 to the rear end 137 of second transverse bottom wall 136. The first vertical post 120 is connected at its bottom end 124 to front end 125 of first transverse bottom wall 126 and second vertical post 130 is connected at its bottom end 134 to the front end 135 of second transverse bottom wall 136. The soccer net 150 is retained by top horizontal crossbar 110, first vertical post 110, first transverse bottom wall 126, second vertical post 130, second transverse bottom wall 136, and lower horizontal wall 116. A goalie 200 is shown in position in front of the soccer goal 100. The present invention portable target 490 is removably affixed to the top crossbar 110 of the soccer goal 100 by an individual standing on the ground and lifting the frame 500 of the portable target 490 so that the curved hook sections 540 of each of the connecting rods 900 extends above the upper crossbar 110 and the rounded transverse tip 960 of each of the curved hook second 540 is placed over the top horizontal crossbar 110. Entry into the interior retaining opening 570 is gained by passing opening 580 over top horizontal crossbar 110 with the rounded transverse tip 960 facilitating passage of the opening 970 over the top horizontal cross-bar 100 so that the horizontal crossbar rests within interior retaining opening 970 of each curved hook section 940 of each retaining rod 900. In Once the rounded tips 960 come in contact with the top horizontal crossbar 110 of the soccer goal 100, it is easy to slip the curved hook sections 940 over the top of the top horizontal crossbar 110 and have them remain in place. The rounded interior 970 of each curved connecting hook 940 easily accommodates the top crossbar 110 of the soccer goal 100. The benefit of the present invention is that an individual does not have to stand on a ladder or any other elevated structure but can stand on the ground and lift the portable target 490 so that the connecting hooks 940 of the connecting rods 900 rise over the top crossbar 110 and then the target 490 is lowered so that the connecting hooks 940 can be lowered over the top horizontal crossbar of the soccer goal 100 and rest in place. The present invention enables even a child in addition to an adult to easily place and remove the soccer goal over the horizontal crossbar of a soccer net. Therefore, this target can be used by children and adults of all ages. Even a child can easily assemble the target and then hold the target from the bottom of the poles and lift it into place over any size goal without any assistance and when finished, be able to push the target off the crossbar and disassemble the target and place it back into a carrying bag. A further benefit of the present invention is that the targets 490 can be located in the upper right quadrant and the upper left quadrant of a soccer goal 100 so that the interior target 600 is presented at these locations which are the most difficult locations for a goalie to defend. By being able to quickly and removably affix the target 490 in this manner, practice can be done at any time even immediately before a game since the target 490 can be quickly removed right before the game starts. The individual practices kicking a soccer ball trough the interior target 600. In Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated. |