Patent ID: 7252604
Filing Date: 2007-08-07
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A target apparatus for use with a sport goal, the sport goal comprising a plurality of frame members, the frame members defining a front goal plane and a defensive area within the front goal plane, the apparatus comprising: (a) a mounting bracket comprising a front, an opposed back and a defensive area side, the mounting bracket being adapted to be releasably attached to one of the plurality of frame members such that the front of the mounting bracket faces a forward direction substantially perpendicular to the front goal plane, such that the back of the mounting bracket faces an opposed rearward direction and such that the defensive area side is adjacent to the defensive area; (b) a target for a sport projectile, the target defining a front target plane and a projectile receptacle rearward of the front target plane, wherein the projectile receptacle is configured to receive a plurality of sport projectiles therein, further comprising a closing mechanism for selectively closing the projectile receptacle to permit the sport projectiles to accumulate in the projectile receptacle and for selectively opening the projectile receptacle to permit the sport projectiles to pass through the projectile receptacle without accumulating in the projectile receptacle; (c) a target hinge connecting the mounting bracket and the target such that the target is located adjacent to the defensive area side of the mounting bracket, such that the target is rotatable relative to the mounting bracket between a forward target position for receiving the sport projectile in which the front target plane is substantially perpendicular to the forward direction of the mounting bracket and a deflected target position in which the front target plane is angularly displaced in the rearward direction from the forward target position, and such that the front target plane is rearward of the front of the mounting bracket when the target is in the forward target position; and (d) a biasing mechanism associated with the target hinge for urging the target to rotate relative to the mounting bracket toward the forward target position.