Soccer training goal

• US 4,286,786 A
• Filed: 05/18/1978
• Issued: 09/01/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andreas T. Papadopoulos
• Original Assignee: Andreas T. Papadopoulos
• Inventors: Papadopoulos, Andreas T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marlo, George J.
• Application Number:
  US05/906,935
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• Field of Search: 273/181 F, 273/182 R, 273/182 A, 273/179 R, 273/179 C, 273/127 R, 273/127 D, 273/127 C, 273/1 B, 273/1 D, 273/103, 273/105 R
• US Class Current: 473/432
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/002 for football American-football dummies A63B69/34

Abstract

A soccer training goal comprising, a goal frame with a net connected thereto which defines a goal space with a goal opening. An inclined plate is connected to the goal frame at the bottom of the goal space and is inclined downwardly toward the goal opening, whereby a soccer ball kicked into the goal space will initially be retained within the goal space by hitting the net, whereby the net absorbs the impact of the ball and then rolls out of the goal back to the practicing kicker. An adjustment device may be connected between the inclined plate and the goal frame to allow for the variation of the incline on the inclined plate to vary the speed at which the soccer ball leaves the goal space. The inclined plate may further be positioned vertically and provided with markings such as for example, numbers 1 to 10 to act as a soccer ball target to be utilized in accuracy shooting practice. The soccer training goal may be collapsible to allow for its portability and include a field sight, a counting device and a target which can be utilized for accuracy shooting in conjunction with the inclined plate. A triangular block is positioned on the plate to deflect the soccer ball away from the target as it rolls down the plate.

Claims

1. A soccer training goal comprising

a goal frame,

a net connected to said goal frame defining a goal space with a goal opening,

an inclined plate connected to said frame at the bottom of said goal space inclined downwardly toward the goal opening, whereby a soccer ball directed through said goal space is deflected by said net so as to initially retain the soccer ball within said goal space and whereby the soccer ball rolls down said inclined plate and out of said goal space back to the practicing kicker,

adjustment means connected between said inclined plate and said goal frame for adjusting the degree of incline of said inclined plate and varying the speed at which the soccer ball leaves said goal space,

said goal frame comprising a pair of uprights, a cross member connected between said uprights defining said goal opening, a pair of quadrantal braces connected to adjacent tops of said uprights adjacent said cross member extending rearwardly and downwardly of said goal opening, said adjustment means comprising a cylinder slideable mounted within each of said quadrantal braces connected to said inclined plate, and a cable connected to each cylinder extending through each of said quadrantal braces and out thereof adjacent said goal opening.

2. A soccer training goal according to claim 1 wherein said cables further include a ring at the end of each cable and each upright further includes a plurality of hooks engageable with said rings for adjusting the incline of said inclined plate.

3. A soccer training goal according to claim 1 wherein said cross member further includes at least one spring loaded support pin and said inclined plate includes at least one loop engageable with said support pin when said inclined plate is vertically positioned within said goal opening.

4. A soccer training goal according to claim 1 wherein said inclined plate is pivotally mounted to said goal frame.

5. A soccer training goal according to claim 1 wherein said inclined plate is positionable in the vertical position and includes markings to act as targets for aiming a soccer ball.

6. A soccer training goal according to claim 1 further including a target having a counter for indicating the number of soccer balls directed through said target, and including a triangular raised deflecting block positioned on said inclined plate behind said target for deflecting said soccer ball away from said target as it rolls down said inclined plate and out of said goal opening.

7. A soccer training goal according to claim 1 wherein said goal frame and inclined plate are disassemblable to effect a portability of the apparatus.

8. A soccer training goal according to claim 1 further including a field sight having radially extending markings positionable in front of said goal opening to act as a sight for directing the soccer ball into said goal opening.

9. A soccer training goal comprising

a goal frame,

a net connected to said goal frame defining a goal space with a goal opening,

an inclined plate connected to said frame at the bottom of said goal space inclined downwardly toward the goal opening, whereby a soccer ball directed through said goal space is deflected by said net so as to initially retain the soccer ball within said goal space and whereby the soccer ball rolls down said inclined plate and out of said goal space back to the practicing kicker,

adjustment means connected between said inclined plate and said goal frame for adjusting the degree of incline of said inclined plate and varying the speed at which the soccer ball leaves said goal space,

said goal frame comprising a pair of uprights, a crossmember connected between said uprights, and a pair of quadrantal braces extending rearwardly and downwardly of said uprights, said uprights and cross member defining said goal opening, said adjustment means comprising a sleeve slideably engaged about each quadrantal brace connected to said inclined plate, a spring loaded locking pin mounted on each sleeve, each of said quadrantal braces including a plurality of spaced holes engageable with said locking pins for adjusting the degree of incline of said inclined plate to determine the speed at which the soccer ball leaves said goal opening.