Automated torsion driven sports goal practice backstop

• US 7,963,865 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2008
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Rigoli
• Original Assignee: Michael Rigoli
• Inventors: Rigoli, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): KLAYMAN, AMIR ARIE
• Application Number:
  US12/070,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20090209372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,218 Days
• Field of Search: 473/478, 473/404, 473/410, 473/415, 473/476, 473/435, 160/45, 160/53
• US Class Current: 473/478
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/54 Foldable elastic frame members automatically resuming their expanded state when released
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

An automated torsion driven sports goal practice backstop which appends to any size of sports goal and may remain in place, if desired, at the conclusion of practice and during games. The sports goal practice backstop utilizes a torsioning system and flexible net mechanism in order to provide for easy installation and subsequent tension thereof. During practice, the sports goal backstop of the present invention provides a suitable backstop to stop most balls from traveling beyond the goal. At the conclusion of practice, the sports goal backstop of the present invention is mechanically foldable via automation of rotating handles and thus, the instant system need not be removed at the conclusion of practice. Rather, the sports goal backstop of the present invention may remain in position, out of sight, in its folded configuration during a game without interfering with normal play.

Claims

1. A sports goal practice backstop for removable attachment to a sports goal comprising:

a removably attachable backstop net mechanism comprises a multiplicity of sections

a right and a left support structure, wherein said right and left support structures are removably attached by a right and a left attachment mechanism;

a torsion driven support rod activation system comprising;

a right and left actuation handle assembly in transferred communication with said right and left support structure;

a right and left torque shaft assembly in communication with said right and left actuation handle assembly and in transferred communication with said right and left support structure;

a right and left pivot block assembly comprising independently moving sections, disposable to receive flexible pultrusion rods in communication with said right and left torque shaft assembly and in communication with said right and left actuation handle assembly wherein said right and left pivot block assemblies rotate inward and outward from a rear side of an existing sports goal;

at least one torque shaft spacer in communication with said left and right pivot blocks;

an attachment mechanism for securing said torsion driven support rod activation system to said existing sports goal;

a plurality of flexible pultrusion support rods comprising a multi-positional, retractable construction, in communication with said right and left pivot block assemblies and possessing means for attachment of said removably attachable backstop net thereto; and

,

wherein said removably attachable backstop net is in communication with said plurality of support rods and wherein actuation of said right and left actuation handles rotates said right and left pivot blocks outward from said existing sports goal and disposes said right and left support rods in an opposing direction in order to tension said removably attachable backstop net; and

wherein said sports goal practice backstop for removable attachment to a sports goal is fully retractable to a position which allows for play with said sports goal practice backstop for removable attachment to a sports goal in place.

2. The sports goal practice backstop of claim 1 wherein said left and right pivot blocks are in rotatable communication with said right and left torque shaft assembly and said right and left actuation handle assembly.

3. The sports goal practice backstop of claim 1 wherein said plurality of support rods comprises four dynamic support rods.

4. The sports goal practice backstop of claim 1 wherein said a torsion driven support rod activation system attachment mechanism further comprises a first and second hanger assembly.

5. The sports goal practice backstop of claim 4 wherein said first and second hanger assembly mechanisms further comprise:

a first and second hanger retaining mechanism; and

,

a first and a second adjustable hanger cinch strap mechanism.

6. The sports goal practice backstop of claim 1 wherein said right and left torque shaft assemblies comprise:

a shaft member;

a retaining member;

a washer member;

a torsion mechanism tensioning member; and

,

a fastening mechanism.

7. The sports goal practice backstop of claim 6 wherein said right and left tensioning mechanism member said torsion mechanism further comprises comprise a spring mechanism.

8. The sports goal practice backstop of claim 1 wherein said right and left pivot block assemblies comprise:

a shaft housing apparatus comprising;

a first and a second shaft receiving area disposed to receive said torque shaft assembly and actuation handle assembly; and

,

a removably attachable locking pin mechanism;

a support rod retaining housing in communication with said shaft housing apparatus, disposed to receive and maneuver said plurality of support rods upon actuation of said shaft housing apparatus and further comprising an aperture disposed to receive said removably attachable locking pin mechanism and in communication with said shaft housing apparatus, further comprising;

a static housing retaining mechanism;

a forward and a rear rotatable support rod receiving hub;

a forward and a rear washer member;

a forward and a rear gasket member,

an aperture disposed to removably receive said locking pin mechanism;

a forward fastening mechanism; and

,

an aperture disposed to removably receive said locking pin mechanism, wherein upon rotation of right and left actuation handle, said shaft housing apparatus transfers rotation to said forward and rear rotatable support rod receiving hubs in order to actuate said support rods.

9. The sports goal practice backstop of claim 1 wherein said support rod retaining housing comprises a slider block.

10. The sports goal practice backstop of claim 1 wherein said plurality of support rods comprises two right opposingly moving support rods and two left opposingly moving support rods.

12. The removably attachable retractable goal practice apparatus of claim 10 wherein said at least one intermediate torque shaft mechanism comprises two torque shaft mechanisms.

11. A removably attachable retractable goal practice apparatus comprising:

a left hanger assembly comprising;

a left spring loaded actuation lever;

a pair of left net retainer rods;

a left rotating pivot block disposed to retain said plurality of left net retainer pultrusion rods comprising a multi-positional, retractable construction wherein said pivot block extends and retracts said net retainer pultrusion rods comprising a multi-positional, retractable construction relative to said existing sports goal;

a left torque bar assembly;

a left support structure; and

,

a left support hanger for attachment to an existing goal;

a right hanger assembly comprising;

a right spring loaded actuation lever;

a plurality of right net retainer rods;

a right rotating pivot block in communication with a torsion driven shaft disposed to retain said plurality of right net retainer pultrusion rods comprising a multi-positional, retractable construction wherein said pivot block extends and retracts said net retainer pultrusion rods comprising a multi-positional, retractable construction relative to said existing sports goal;

a right torque bar assembly;

a right support structure;

a right support hanger for attachment to an existing goal;

a removably attachable net mechanism in communication with said plurality of right and left net retainer rods; and

,

at least one intermediate linking torque shaft mechanism in communication with said right and left hanger assemblies wherein application of a rotational force upon said right and left spring loaded actuation lever tensions said intermediate torque shaft mechanism, rotates said left and right pivot block, extends said plurality of left and right net retainer rods and tensions said removably attachable net mechanism; and

wherein said removably attachable retractable goal practice apparatus is completely retractable to a position which allows for regulation play with said removably attachable retractable goal practice apparatus in place.

13. A sports goal practice backstop for attachment to an existing sports goal comprising:

a removably attachable backstop net comprising;

at least one left section;

at least one middle section; and

,

at least one right section;

a left and right support structure assembly;

a goal spacer tube comprising a first end attached to an end of said right support structure assembly and a second end attached to said left support structure assembly;

a plurality of hanger assemblies comprising rotatable hanger members;

a plurality of hanger shims;

a primary cinch strap in communication with said hanger assemblies;

a plurality of side cinch straps disposed to be threaded through a cradle mechanism;

a set of two outer net tubes threaded over a set of longer flexible pultrusion;

a set of two inner net tubes threaded over a set of shorter flexible pultrusion;

a set of rotation pucks comprising a series of holes and a plurality of net retention straps secured over said holes;

a counter balance bladder disposed to contain fluid comprising;

a set of fluid receiving spouts; and

,

a set of removably attachable spouts caps, wherein said spout caps are removed during fluid filling and reaffixed upon completion of fluid filling and wherein the counter balance bladder disposed to attach to the rear of said goal such that a set of unfilled areas match said goal framework;

wherein the counter balance bladder is disposed to be place in a lower, rear portion of said existing sports goal in order to counter balance a quantity of weight added to the front portion of said existing sports goal upon attachment of said sports goal practice backstop

wherein said right support structure assembly is disposed with an end shaft, said left support structure assembly is disposed with an end shaft and a goal spacer tube wherein said goal spacer tube is attached to said right and left support structure assemblies at said end shafts and thus align a set of transverse holes located in said shafts and tubes;

wherein said assembly is lifted and said hangers are placed onto the top horizontal tube of an existing goal assembly and wherein said support structures are centered and aligned to the vertical tubes of the goal; and

said hangers are secured by wrapping said primary cinch strap around said goal tube and back into a retainer and wherein said side cinch straps are threaded through said cradles; and

,

wherein for attachment of said backstop net, said backstop net is laid out flat behind the goal, said two outer net tubes are threaded over said longer flexible pultrusion rods, said two inner net tubes are threaded over said shorter flexible pultrusion rods; and

wherein said sports goal practice backstop is fully retractable to a position which allows for play with said sports goal practice backstop in place.