Returning goal system

• US 9,573,033 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2013
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scott T. Surbrook
• Original Assignee: Scott T. Surbrook
• Inventors: Surbrook, Scott T.
• Primary Examiner(s): GRAHAM, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US14/053,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20140106906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,225 Days
• Field of Search: 273394-397, 473/478, 473/431, 473/434, 473/435
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/005 having means not protruding from the profile of the post for attachment of a net
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0097 Ball rebound walls with holes or in combination with nets A63B63/00

Abstract

A returning goal system including a generally U-shaped entryway, first and second sides extending away from the entryway, and lower and upper back crossbars extending between the sides to form lower and upper open portions. A net is connected to the goal and covers the lower open portion and upper open portion. The lower open portion of the net is sufficiently tensioned so as to return a ball towards the entryway without causing it to be ejected from the goal.

Claims

1. A dual-purpose convertible goal system for converting between a ball-retaining gameplay mode and a ball-returning practice mode, the goal system comprising:

a generally U-shaped entryway defined by;

an elongate front crossbar having a first end and a second end;

a first vertical support post having a top and a bottom, the top of the first support post attached to the first end of the front crossbar; and

a second vertical support post having a top and a bottom, the top of the second support post attached to the second end of the front crossbar;

a first side extending away from the entryway proximate the first end of the front crossbar and defined by the first support post, a first lower support bar that is connected at a first end to the bottom of the first support post, a first lower net support having a bottom end connected to the first lower support bar, and a first upper net support having a bottom end that is connected between the bottom end and a top end of the first lower net support and a top end that is connected to the U-shaped entryway;

a second side extending away from the entryway proximate the second end of the front crossbar and defined by the second support post, a second lower support bar that is connected at a first end to the bottom of the second support post, a second lower net support having a bottom end connected to the second lower support bar, and a second upper net support having a bottom end that is connected between the bottom end and a top end of the second lower net support and at top end that is connected to the U-shaped entryway;

a lower back crossbar connected to and extending between second ends of the first and second lower support bars;

an upper back crossbar connected to and extending between the first and second lower net supports;

a lower open portion disposed between the first and second sides and defined by the upper and lower back crossbars, and the first and second lower net supports;

an upper open portion disposed between the first and second sides and defined by the front crossbar, the upper back crossbar and the first and second upper net supports; and

a net connected to the goal and forming a netted enclosure behind the entryway and an open space located within the netted enclosure behind the entryway and in front of the lower back crossbar, the net covering the lower open portion and upper open portion, wherein the lower open portion of the net is sufficiently tensioned in the practice mode so as to return a ball into the open space and the net is sufficiently loosened in the gameplay mode to retain the ball in the net.

2. The returning goal system of claim 1 wherein the net further comprises an end that is passed beneath the lower net support and connected to a portion of the goal in order to form two adjacent layers of netting at the lower open portion.

3. The returning goal system of claim 1 further comprising a lever-type net tensioning mechanism for selectively tensioning and un-tensioning at least a first portion of the net covering the lower open portion of the goal, the mechanism comprising:

a generally U-shaped lever arm, including two connection arms and a central portion disposed between the connection arms operable for connecting to an end of the net, wherein the connection arms are rotatably mounted to outer faces of the upper net support; and

a plurality of pin-type connection members operable for securing the lever arm in a tensioned or an un-tensioned position.

4. The returning goal system of claim 3 wherein the net further comprises an end that is passed beneath the lower net support and connected to the central portion of the lever arm in order to form two adjacent layers of netting at the lower open portion.

5. The returning goal system of claim 4 wherein a pocket is formed by the net within the lower open portion when the lever is in the un-tensioned position such that a ball striking the net at the lower open portion is trapped by the pocket.

6. The returning goal system of claim 1 further comprising a rope-type net tensioning mechanism, the mechanism comprising:

a tensioning rope interwoven with the net between the first and second sides of the goal proximate the lower open portion and mounted to upper crossbar that is tensioned in the practice mode to pull the portion of the net between the lower and upper crossbars taut and loosened in the gameplay mode to loosen the portion of the net between the lower and upper crossbars.

7. The returning goal system of claim 3 wherein the net further comprises an end that is passed beneath the lower net support and connected to the central portion of the lever arm in order to form two adjacent layers of netting at the lower open portion.

8. The returning goal system of claim 7 wherein a pocket is formed by the net within the lower open portion when the lever is in the un-tensioned position such that a ball striking the net at the lower open portion is trapped by the pocket.

9. The returning goal system of claim 1 wherein the first and second upper net supports are curved.

10. The returning goal system of claim 1 further comprising an arched net support disposed between the first and second upper net supports.

11. The returning goal system of claim 1 wherein the first and second lower net supports extend upwards at an angle π

of about 0°

to about 90°

relative to the axial length of the first and second lower support bars.

12. The returning goal system of claim 1 wherein the first and second lower net supports extend upwards at an angle π

of about 30°

to about 60°

.

13. The returning goal system of claim 1 further comprising at least one support disposed between the first and second sides of the goal for supporting the net at a desired height.

14. The returning goal system of claim 13 wherein the support may be repositioned along the first and second sides to vary the height at which the net is supported.

15. The returning goal system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of holes disposed in a base of the goal and configured to receive a plurality of ground attachment devices for temporarily attaching the goal to a ground surface.

16. The returning goal system of claim 1 further comprising a rotational tensioning mechanism, wherein the net is connected to the upper back crossbar and wherein the upper back crossbar is freely rotatable within the first and second sides and may be locked into place using a locking mechanism selected from the group consisting of:

a plurality of pins that may be inserted through a portion of the upper back crossbar and into a portion of the first and second sides, friction collar or ratcheting connection between the upper back crossbar and the first and second sides.