Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
GOAL TRAINING APPARATUS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The following includes information that may be useful in
understanding the present
disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein
is prior art nor
material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any
publication or document
that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of sports
training apparatus of
existing art and more specifically relates to a goal training apparatus for
developing goal scoring
skills.
RELATED ART
[0003] In sports, the meaning of "goal" may either refer to an instance of
scoring, or to a
physical structure whereby an attacking team deposits a projectile (such as a
ball or puck) therein
to score points. For many sports, each goal structure usually consists of two
vertical posts
supporting a horizontal crossbar. A goal line marked between the goal posts
defines the goal area.
Thus, the objective is to send the ball or puck between the goal posts and
across the goal line.
[0004] In some sports, such as ice hockey and field hockey, the goal is the
sole method of
scoring. In these sports the final score is the number of goals scored by each
team, with the winner
being the team with the highest number of goals. Because of this, the ability
of each player to be
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able to score a goal is integral to winning the game, and as such, it is
important for players to
practice shooting skills often.
[0005]
It is vital for players to be able to practice with goalkeepers so that they
can get used to
shooting at a goal whilst a goalkeeper is moving and maneuvering within the
goal to deflect their
shots. However, it is not always possible for players to train with real life
goalkeepers. Thus, there
exists a need for a life-like human goalkeeper training apparatus to avoid the
above-mentioned
problems.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known sports
training apparatus
art, the present disclosure provides a novel goal training apparatus. The
general purpose of the
present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is
to provide an
apparatus which replicates a human goalkeeper, including their movements,
appearance, and size,
to enable a user to practice and develop their goal scoring skills.
[0007] An apparatus for developing goal scoring skills is disclosed herein.
The apparatus
includes a goal which may include a frame having at least a left-side post, a
right-side post, a top
crossbar, and a bottom crossbar. The frame may further include a net affixed
thereto which may
define a front opening. A three-dimensional structure may also be provided.
The three-dimensional
structure may be configured to replicate a human goalkeeper and may include at
least a head, a
torso, two arms and two legs. The three-dimensional structure configured to
attach to the frame of
the goal via an attachment means.
[0008] According to another embodiment, a method of using the apparatus for
developing goal
scoring skills is also disclosed herein. The method includes providing the
apparatus as above;
attaching the three-dimensional structure to the frame of the goal via the
attachment means; placing
the three-dimensional structure at a desired location in the goal; pivoting
the three-dimensional
structure about the vertical axis to a desired angle relative to the goal;
adjusting a height of the
three-dimensional structure to a desired height relative to the goal; and
aiming and shooting a
projectile at the goal.
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[0009]
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and
novel
features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood
that not necessarily all
such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular
embodiment of the
invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that
achieves or
optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without
necessarily achieving
other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the
invention which are
believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in
the concluding portion
of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed
description.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The figures which accompany the written portion of this
specification illustrate
embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a goal training
apparatus, constructed
and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front side view of an apparatus during an 'in-use'
condition, according to an
embodiment of the disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 6A is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 6B is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
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[0018] FIG. 7A is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 7B is a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a front side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to
an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the
apparatus, according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be
described in
conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like
elements.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to
a sports training
apparatus and more particularly to a goal training apparatus as used to
improve goal scoring skills
of a user.
[0024] Generally disclosed is a hand-eye development apparatus which may be
used during
early development of learning to shoot a ball or puck. The apparatus may
include a life-size three-
dimensional cutout of a goalkeeper which may be positioned on a goal to offer
an opening to shoot
a puck or ball into a net of the goal. The goalkeeper may be attached to the
goal via a clamp, which
may allow for easy adjustment of the goalkeeper between different positions.
[0025] The goalkeeper may be moved from side to side or adjusted to
specific openings for
shots, depending on an angle that the user is standing in. The user may adjust
an angle, level, height
or position of the goalkeeper relative to the goal. Points to the user may be
awarded when a puck
or ball passes through the opening between the goalkeeper and into the net.
[0026] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of
reference, there is
shown in FIGS. 1-7B, various views of an apparatus for developing goal scoring
skills
("apparatus" 100).
[0027] FIG. 1 shows the apparatus 100 during an 'in-use' condition,
according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the apparatus 100 may
include a goal 110,
and a three-dimensional structure 120. As shown, the three-dimensional
structure 120 may be
configured to attach to a frame 112 of the goal 110. The apparatus 100 may be
used for developing
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goal scoring skills. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be used for
developing hockey
goal scoring skills.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 2-7B showing various views of the apparatus
100 of FIG. 1,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The goal 110 may include
the frame 112
having at least a left-side post 114, a right-side post 116, a top crossbar
118, a bottom crossbar
119, and a net 111 affixed thereto and defining a front opening 113. The three-
dimensional
structure 120 may be configured to replicate a human goalkeeper 122 and may
include at least a
head 123, a torso 124, two arms 125 and two legs 126. Preferably, the goal 110
may be a hockey
goal 115 and the human goalkeeper 122 may be a hockey goalkeeper 127. Further,
the hockey
goalkeeper 127 may include a hockey stick 12 attached about one of the two
arms 125. However,
the apparatus 100 is not just limited to hockey. Other uses are contemplated,
such as for soccer,
polo, water polo, frisbee golf, handball, lacrosse, and the like.
[0029] Preferably, the three-dimensional structure 120 may be configured to
replicate a life-
size human goalkeeper 122. As such, a size of the three-dimensional structure
120 relative to the
goal 110 may be dictated by type of goal 110. For example, the life-size human
goalkeeper 122
may fill out the front opening 113 of the hockey goal 115 more than the life-
size human goalkeeper
122 would in a soccer goal, as the hockey goal 115 may be smaller than the
soccer goal.
[0030] The three-dimensional structure 120 may be moveable about and in
relation to the
frame 112. For example, the three-dimensional structure 120 may be configured
for linear
movement about the top crossbar 118. In some embodiments, the three-
dimensional structure 120
may be configured to slide across the top crossbar 118. In some embodiments, a
user may manually
remove and re-attach the three-dimensional structure 120 in desired locations
on the top crossbar
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118. In further embodiments, the apparatus 100 may further comprise a movement
means, such as
a motor, for automatically transporting the three-dimensional structure 120
about the top crossbar
118 (or frame 112). Movement of the three-dimensional structure 120 about the
top crossbar 118
may allow the user to practice different shot positions in the goal 110.
[0031] Further, in some embodiments, the three-dimensional structure 120
may include a
vertical axis 135, and the three-dimensional structure 120 may be configured
to pivot about the
vertical axis 135 so as to adjust an angle of the three-dimensional structure
120 relative to the goal
110. For example, the three-dimensional structure 120 may be configured to
pivot 90 degrees in a
left direction, and 90 degrees in a right direction (from a forward facing
position), so as to enable
the user to practice shots at different angles. It should be appreciated that
90 degrees is given as an
example and the three-dimensional structure 120 may not be limited in its
range of movement.
[0032] In addition to this, the three-dimensional structure 120 may be
height adjustable. In this
embodiment, the three-dimensional structure 120 may include a
collapsible/extendable portion
(not illustrated). For example, the head 123 of the three-dimensional
structure 120 may include a
collapsible/extendable pole (not illustrated). In some embodiments, the
collapsible pole may be
telescopic. Adjustment of the height of the three-dimensional structure 120
may allow the user to
practice shots at different heights. The movement and adjustability of the
three-dimensional
structure 120 in combination may replicate lifelike movements of a human, and
may replicate
differently sized humans.
[0033] The attachment means 130 may be configured to attach the three-
dimensional structure
120 to the top crossbar 118 of the goal 110, and the three-dimensional
structure 120 may be
configured to stand in the front opening 113. Whilst it is preferable that the
three-dimensional
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structure 120 may attach to the top crossbar 118, it should be appreciated
that the attachment means
130 may attach the three-dimensional structure 120 to any part of the frame
112.
[0034] In some embodiments, the attachment means 130 may include a first
attachment clamp
132. The head 123 of the three-dimensional structure 120 may be configured for
attachment to the
first attachment clamp 132. The first attachment clamp 132 may include a
cylindrical profile 134
to encircle the top crossbar 118. In some embodiments, the attachment means
130 may include the
first attachment clamp 132 and a circular peg 137. The circular peg 137 may be
attached to the
head 123 of the three-dimensional structure 120 at a first end thereof, and a
circular second end of
the circular peg 137 may fit inside the first attachment clamp 132.
[0035] Further, the attachment means 130 may include a second attachment
clamp 141 to
attach the three-dimensional structure 120 to the left-side post 114, and a
third attachment clamp
142 configured to attach the three-dimensional structure 120 to the right-side
post 116. In some
examples the second attachment clamp 141 and the third attachment clamp 142
may each include
a first half 131 and a second half 133 mate-able together via at least one
clasp 136. In this
embodiment, the first half 131 and the second half 133 may include arcuate
configurations to each
encircle opposing halves of each post (114, 116).
[0036] In some embodiments, grooves 138 may be included on the second
attachment clamp
141 and the third attachment clamp 142. Further, the attachment means 130 may
include a first
structure attachment piece 143 and a second structure attachment piece 144.
The first structure
attachment piece 143 and the second structure attachment piece 144 may each
include a pole 145
and an attachment plate 146. The attachment plate 146 may be configured for
attachment to the
grooves 138 located on each of the second attachment clamp 141 and the third
attachment clamp
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142. The pole 145 may be configured for attachment to the three-dimensional
structure 120. In
some embodiments, the pole 145 may be collapsible.
[0037] In some embodiments, at least one pin 147 may be located on each of
the second
attachment clamp 141 and the third attachment clamp 142. The at least one pin
147 may be
collapsible. The first structure attachment piece 143 and the second structure
attachment piece 144
may each include at least one aperture 148 for receiving the at least one pin
147, facilitating
attachment. The at least one pin 147 may be configured to provide
adjustability to the three-
dimensional structure 120. Preferably, the user may be able to adjust an angle
of the three-
dimensional structure 120 using the at least one pin 147. Two apertures 148
are shown in FIG. 7B
on the second structure attachment piece 144, however it should be appreciated
that the first
structure attachment piece 143 and the second structure attachment piece 144
are not limited to
two apertures.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 8 showing various views of the apparatus 100
of FIG. 1,
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the
apparatus 100
may further comprise a detection means 140 configured for detecting a
projectile passing past the
three-dimensional structure 120 and into the front opening 113 of the goal 110
(i.e. when the user
scores a goal). For example, the detection means 140 may detect a goal in
hockey training when it
detects a puck passing the hockey goalkeeper 127 (FIGS. 1-5) and into the
front opening 113 of
the hockey goal 115. The detection means 140 may be sensors, infrared lights,
accelerometers, and
the like. In some embodiments, the detection means 140 may not be included.
Instead, goal
determination may be made by the user, or a friend, trainer, etc.
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[0039] Further, in some embodiments the apparatus 100 may include a score
keeping means
for keeping track of goal count. The score keeping means may be a
sophisticated process such as
use of controllers, microchips, logic circuits, and the like. Or the score
keeping means may simply
be a media such as paper, chalkboard, dry-erase board, etc. for manually
keeping score with a pen,
pencil, chalk, marker, etc. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 may further
include a display
means for displaying the score. Again, this may be a sophisticated process or
manual using similar
media as above.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 9 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method
of use 800 for
using the apparatus for developing goal scoring skills, according to an
embodiment of the present
disclosure. In particular, the method of use 800 may include one or more
components or features
of the apparatus 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method of use 800
may include the
steps of: step one 801, providing the apparatus as above; step two 802,
attaching the three-
dimensional structure to the frame of the goal via the attachment means; step
three 803, placing
the three-dimensional structure at a desired location in the goal; step four
804, pivoting the three-
dimensional structure about the vertical axis to a desired angle relative to
the goal; step five 805,
adjusting a height of the three-dimensional structure to a desired height
relative to the goal; and
step six and seven, aiming 806 and shooting 807 a projectile at the goal.
[0041] It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can
be carried out in
many different orders according to user preference. The use of "step of"
should not be interpreted
as "step for", in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the
provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f).
It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering
such issues as design
preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural
requirements, available
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materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for using an apparatus
for developing goal
scoring skills are taught herein.
[0042]
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous
modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to
achieve substantially
equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit
and scope of the
invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the
U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist,
engineers and practitioners
in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from
a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the
application.
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