ICE HOCKEY PRACTICE TARGET

• US 20150190700A1
• Filed: 01/05/2014
• Published: 07/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rodney Olsen
• Original Assignee: Rodney Olsen
• Inventors: Olsen, Rodney
• Granted Patent: US 9,717,968 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/002 variable in size
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0026 for ice-hockey

Abstract

An ice hockey practice target is provided, the target comprising a first substantially tubular portion, including a first end attached to a base and a second end constructed and arranged to engage an upper horizontal goal crossbar, and a second tubular portion attached to the base, the second tubular portion constructed and arranged to engage and secure a lower end of a vertical goal post.

Claims

1. An ice hockey practice target comprising:

a base;

a first substantially tubular portion including a first end attached to the base and a second end constructed and arranged to engage an upper horizontal goal crossbar; and

a second tubular portion attached to the base, the second tubular portion constructed and arranged to engage and secure a vertical goal post.

3. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 further comprising a yoke shaped cap enclosing the second end of the first substantially tubular portion.

4. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 further comprising a clamp to secure the first substantially tubular portion to the upper horizontal goal crossbar.

5. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 wherein the base comprises a substantially planar plate configured to accommodate the first substantially tubular portion and the second tubular portion.

6. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 wherein an outer diameter of the first substantially tubular portion is between about 1 inch and about 4 inches.

7. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 wherein an inner diameter of the second end of the first substantially tubular portion is between about 2⅜

inches and about 3 inches.

8. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 wherein the first substantially tubular portion is comprised of a material that produces a tone when struck, the material selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, stainless steel, fiberglass reinforced plastic and polycarbonate.

9. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 wherein in the first substantially tubular portion is composed of a metallic material.

10. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 wherein the first substantially tubular portion is of a continuous outer diameter.

11. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 wherein the first substantially tubular portion varies in outer diameter along its length.

17. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 wherein the first substantially tubular portion produces as least two distinct tones when struck by a projectile at different locations on the substantially tubular portion.

18. The ice hockey practice target of claim 1 wherein the first substantially tubular portion comprises at least two different segments.

19. The ice hockey practice target of claim 18 wherein the different segments are graduated in diameter and are nested to allow for telescoping of the segments.

24. The ice hockey practice target of claim 18 wherein at least one segment is a dampening band that acoustically isolates two additional segments.

2. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

14. The ice hockey practice target of claim 12 wherein the first substantially tubular portion comprises a wall of varying thickness along its length.

13. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

20-23. -23. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. The ice hockey practice target of claim 26 wherein the first substantially tubular portion is attached to the base by a flange.

28-34. -34. (canceled)

35. An ice hockey practice target comprising:

a base constructed and arranged to sit on an ice surface;

a first substantially tubular portion;

a first end of the first substantially tubular portion constructed and arranged to attach to the base so that the base stabilizes the first end at about a ninety degree angle relative to the surface of the ice rink and vertically within a hockey goal opening; and

a second end of the first substantially tubular portion constructed and arranged to engage an upper horizontal goal crossbar so that the crossbar stabilizes the second end at about a ninety degree angle relative to the crossbar and vertically within the hockey goal opening.

36. A method for using an ice hockey practice target comprising:

placing the ice hockey practice target on an ice surface;

engaging a vertical goal post with the ice hockey practice target; and

engaging the ice hockey practice target with an upper horizontal goal crossbar.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising shooting a puck at the ice hockey practice target.

38. The method claim 36 further comprising listening for a sound indicating that the puck successfully struck the ice hockey practice target.