INERTIA-ACTIVATED ALERT HOCKEY PRACTCE AID

• US 20160107057A1
• Filed: 10/14/2015
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: William Dehuff Wisegarver
• Original Assignee: William Dehuff Wisegarver
• Inventors: Wisegarver, William DeHuff
• Application Number:
  US14/882,810
• Publication Number:
  US 20160107057A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/026 stabilised by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0026 for ice-hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration

Abstract

A hockey shooting practice aid which includes a weighted, light-up target device that is securable to the frame of a hockey net and constructed of a hardened metal material capable of withstanding repeated impact force of hockey pucks. The practice aid is adapted to alert the shooter of a puck by emitting a continuous or flashing light when the target is struck by a puck with sufficient force to overcome a predetermined impact threshold. The weighted target includes a central chamber with an opening that carries an inertia-activated light-up ball which, upon sensing the sufficient dynamic inertia of a striking puck which exceeds an impact threshold force, illuminates for a pre-programmed duration of time. By illuminating the central light-up apparatus of the weighted target, the shooter is rewarded for making both an accurate and forceful shot.

Claims

1. An inertia-activated alert hockey practice aid, comprising:

(a) a weighted disc member;

(b) a signaling device attached to said weighted disc member, said signaling device including an alert mechanism and an inertia switch member for actuating said alert mechanism upon sensing a dynamic striking force against said weighted disc member which exceeds a predetermined threshold strike force; and

(c) a tethering device for attaching said weighted disc member to a frame for a hockey net.

2. The hockey practice aid of claim 1, wherein said weighted disc member is constructed of metal having a weight within the approximate range of 1.0-10.0 lbs.

3. The hockey practice aid of claim 1, wherein said weighted disc member has a front surface with a defined opening within which said signaling device is retained by friction fit, said signaling device protruding outward from said opening beyond said front surface of said disc.

4. The hockey practice aid of claim 3, wherein said opening extends through said weighted disc member into a defined rear chamber that forms a stop to help prevent said signaling device from being pushed through and dislodged from within said opening in said weighted disc member.

5. The hockey practice aid of claim 3, including an elastic retainer which is connected to said weighted disc member and extends across a front face of said signaling device to further secure said signaling device within said opening and prevent dislodgement thereof.

6. The hockey practice aid of claim 1, wherein said signaling device includes a flexible, resilient outer shell within which said inertia switch member and said alert mechanism are housed.

7. The hockey practice aid of claim 6, wherein said outer shell is substantially translucent and said alert mechanism illuminates as a visual signal upon actuation for a pre-determined length of time.

8. The hockey practice aid of claim 6, wherein said signaling device is retained within a central opening extending through said weighted disc member so as to protrude outward from said opening beyond a front surface of said weighted disc member.

9. The hockey practice aid of claim 8, wherein said signaling device is in the form of a ball that is retained within said opening by friction fit, and an outer surface of said ball has a plurality of flexible protruding studs which help engage said weighted disc member and prevent dislodgement of said ball from within said opening.

10. The hockey practice aid of claim 8, including a bracket extending over said opening on a rear surface of said weighted disc member to form a chamber within which said signaling device is retained.

11. The hockey practice aid of claim 1, wherein said tethering member is selected from a group consisting of a strap, cord, reinforced string, and carabiner.

12. An inertia-activated alert hockey practice aid, comprising:

(a) a weighted disc member formed of metal and having opening-defining portions which define a central opening extending there through between a front surface and a rear surface thereof;

(b) a signaling device carried within said opening of said weighted disc member, said signaling device having a substantially translucent outer shell which houses a visual alert mechanism and an inertia switch member for actuating said alert mechanism upon sensing a dynamic striking force against said weighted disc member which exceeds a predetermined threshold strike force; and

(c) a tethering device for attaching said weighted disc member to a frame for a hockey net.

13. The hockey practice aid of claim 12, wherein said signaling device is bounded by said opening-defining portions of said weighted disc member such that said signaling device protrudes outward relative to both said front surface and said rear surface of said weighted disc member.

14. The hockey practice aid of claim 12, including a bracket extending over said opening on said rear surface of said weighted disc member to form a chamber within which said signaling device is retained.

15. The hockey practice aid of claim 12, wherein said signaling device is retained within the confines of said central opening via a friction fit between said outer shell and said opening-defining portions of said weighted disc member.

16. The hockey practice aid of claim 12, including an elastic retainer which is connected to said weighted disc member and extends across a front face of said signaling device to help secure said signaling device and prevent dislodgement thereof from within said opening of said weighted disc member.

17. The hockey practice aid of claim 12, wherein said shell of said signaling device is formed of a flexible, resilient plastic or elastomeric material.

18. The hockey practice aid of claim 17, wherein said signaling device is in the form of a ball that is retained within said opening by friction fit, and an outer surface of said ball has a plurality of flexible protruding studs which help engage said opening-defining portions of said weighted disc member and prevent dislodgement of said ball from within said opening.

19. The hockey practice aid of claim 12, wherein said inertia switch member includes a battery powered illumination circuit which actuates and causes said visual alert mechanism to illuminate for a pre-programmed period of time upon sensing a dynamic striking force against said weighted disc member which exceeds said predetermined threshold strike force.

20. The hockey practice aid of claim 12, wherein said tethering member is selected from a group consisting of a strap, cord, reinforced string, and carabiner.