Soccer game with a plurality of goals

• US 5,863,266 A
• Filed: 12/31/1996
• Issued: 01/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: USA Collegiate, L.P.
• Original Assignee: USA Collegiate, L.P.
• Inventors: Starnes, Todd A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/775,781
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 273/398, 273/400, 273/396, 273/127 R, 273/127 A, 273/127 B, 273/127 C, 273/127 D, 273/378, 273/382, 273/383, 273/389, 473/471, 473/478, 473/446
• US Class Current: 473/471
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A soccer type goal in which upon scoring a goal, the scoring player pulls on a release strap to allow a cover to uncoil across the goal. An athletic ball game includes a number of these goals at each end of a playing field.

Claims

1. An athletic game goal apparatus comprising:

(a) a goal frame defining a scoring zone and further defining an opening to the scoring zone; and

(b) a cover affixed to the goal frame wherein the cover is in a first position away from the opening prior to scoring, and in a second position covering the opening to the scoring zone after scoring, wherein in the first position the cover is coiled and positioned above the opening, and in the second position the cover is uncoiled and positioned across the opening;

(c) a fastener which is connected to and holds the cover in the first position;

(d) netting supported by the goal frame.

2. An athletic ball game comprising:

(a) a playing zone having first and second ends;

(b) at least two goals positioned at each of the first and second ends, wherein the goals each comprise;

(1) a goal frame defining a scoring zone and further defining an opening to the scoring zone; and

(2) a cover affixed to the goal frame, wherein the cover is in a first position away from the opening prior to scoring, and in a second position covering the opening to the scoring zone after scoring.

3. The game of claim 2 comprising at least three goals positioned at each of the first and second ends.

4. An athletic ball game comprising:

(a) a playing zone having first and second ends;

(b) at least one goal positioned at each of the first and second ends, wherein the goals each comprise;

(1) a goal frame defining a scoring zone and further defining an opening to the scoring zone; and

(2) a cover affixed to the goal frame, wherein in a first position the cover is coiled and positioned above the opening, and in a second position the cover is uncoiled and positioned across the opening.

5. The game of claim 4 further including:

(c) a fastener which is connected to and holds the cover in the first position.

6. The game of claim 5 comprising at least five goals positioned at each of the first and second ends.

7. The game of claim 4 comprising at least two goals positioned at each of the first and second ends.

8. The game of claim 4 comprising at least three goals positioned at each of the first and second ends.

9. A method for operating a goal, wherein the goal comprises (1) a goal frame defining a scoring zone and further defining an opening to the scoring zone;

and(2) a cover affixed to the goal frame wherein the cover can be in a first position away from the opening and a second position covering the opening to the scoring zone, the method comprising;

(a) positioning the cover in the first position by coiling the cover;

(b) positioning a ball in the scoring zone; and

(c) positioning the cover in the second position.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein step (c) comprises uncoiling the cover.

11. A method for playing a game comprising N goals at each of two ends of a playing zone, wherein each goal comprises (1) a goal frame defining a scoring zone and further defining an opening to the scoring zone;

and(2)a cover affixed to the goal frame, wherein the cover can be in a first position away from the opening and a second position across the opening, the method comprising;

(a) positioning the cover in the first position for each of the N goals;

(b) positioning a ball in the scoring zone of one of the goals having a cover in the first position;

(c) positioning the cover of the goal with the ball in the scoring zone, in the second position; and

(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the covers of all of the N goals at one of the two ends of the playing zone are in the second position, or a predetermined time expires.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein step (a) comprises coiling the cover.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein step (c) comprises uncoiling the cover.