Electronic goal detector

• US 5,748,073 A
• Filed: 05/29/1997
• Issued: 05/05/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James D. Crawford
• Original Assignee: James D. Crawford
• Inventors: Crawford, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US08/865,609
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 340/323 R, 273/371, 273/377, 273/381, 273/382, 273/391, 273/392, 473/471
• US Class Current: 340/323.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like

Abstract

A new electronic goal detector for accurately detects and signals when a hockey puck passes through the goal line between the goal posts of a hockey goal. The inventive device includes a set of goal sensors for mounting on the goal posts and cross bar of a hockey goal to act as a goal sensing means for detecting a puck passing through the goal line. A goal sensor is also embedded within the hockey playing surface along the goal line. At the bottom end of one of the goal posts is a two-part connector that separates when the hockey goal is moved off of the goal line to deactivate the goal sensors. A sound generating device and a light source provide an indicating means for indicating when a puck passes into the hockey goal.

Claims

1. An electronic goal detector for a hockey goal having a pair of spaced apart and substantially parallel goal posts and an upper cross bar being extended between said goal posts, said hockey goal being positioned along a goal line of a hockey playing surface such that a goal plane is formed by said goal line, said cross bar and said goal posts, said electronic goal detector comprising:

a first sensing means for detecting a puck passing through a goal plane, said first sensing means being for mounting to a hockey goal;

a second sensing means for detecting a puck passing through a goal plane, said sensing means being for embedding within a hockey playing surface; and

a deactivation means for deactivating said first sensing means and said second sensing means when the hockey goal is moved off the goal line of the hockey playing surface.

2. The electronic goal detector of claim 1, further comprising a puck having a pick up means, said pick up means being for detection by said first sensing means and said second sensing means when said puck passes through the goal plane.

3. The electronic goal detector of claim 1, wherein said first sensing means is for removable mounting to a hockey goal.

4. The electronic goal detector of claim 1, further comprising a light source, said light source being for indicating when said first sensing means and said second sensing means detect a puck passing through the goal plane.

5. The electronic goal detector of claim 1, further comprising a sound generating means, said sound generating means generating a sound when said first sensing means and said second sensing means detect a puck passing through the goal plane.

6. An electronic goal detector for a hockey goal having a pair of spaced apart and substantially parallel goal posts and an upper cross bar being extended between said goal posts, said hockey goal being positioned along a goal line of a hockey playing surface such that a goal plane is formed by said goal line, said cross bar and said goal posts, said electronic goal detector comprising:

a goal sensing means for detecting a puck passing through a goal plane including a first sensing means and a second sensing means, said first sensing means and said second sensing means for detecting a puck passing through a goal plane, said first sensing means being for mounting to a hockey goal, said second sensing means being for embedding within a hockey playing surface;

an indicating means being responsive to said goal sensing means, said indicating means being for indicating when a puck passes through a goal plane; and

a deactivation means for deactivating said first sensing means and said second sensing means when the hockey goal is moved off a goal line of the hockey playing surface.

7. The electronic goal detector of claim 6, further comprising a puck having a pick up means, said pick up means being for detection by said first sensing means and said second sensing means when said puck passes through the goal plane.

8. The electronic goal detector of claim 6, wherein said first sensing means is for removable mounting to a hockey goal.

9. The electronic goal detector of claim 6, wherein said indicating means includes a light source being for visually indicating when said goal sensing means detects a puck passing through the goal plane.

10. The electronic goal detector of claim 6, wherein said indicating means includes a sound generating means being for audibly indicating when said goal sensing means detects a puck passing through the goal plane.