Abstract:
The shield device shown herein is one to aid in soccer practice. An individual player can practice kicking a soccer ball into the apparatus and have it bounced back in his or her general area. The lower area of the shield comprises a back panel and two side panels connected at an angle to the back panel. Each panel is made of a sufficiently rigid material, such as plywood, to absorb the impact of the kicked soccer ball. Above the panels is netting, such as nylon netting, to guard against and intercept errant flights of the ball.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a specifically designed background shield for soccer practice. More specifically this shield is designed to return the soccer ball back to the area from where the ball is kicked. Still more specifically, this background shield is related to a foldable and portable shield which may be transported and which is foldable for storage and for transportation. 
   2. State of the Prior Art 
   There are a number of patents describing various background shields for practicing various games. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,591,753 and 4,072,295 disclose foldable screens, backstops or batting cages in which a batter can swing at a thrown baseball without the danger of having the baseball hitting a catcher or a spectator. These are of primarily steel mesh or chain link fences. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,472 shows a portable background net made of nylon or other low extensible threads suitable for practicing tennis, cricket, baseball, etc. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,229,180 describes a game played against a vertical wall with an upper backwardly sloped section, which wall is apparently non-portable and against which a tennis ball, etc., is bounced against the wall. Each of the players has a catching device comprising a handle, a wire loop connected to the handle and an open-ended bag attached to the loop. One player bounces the ball to a designated area on the wall in a manner such that the bounced ball cannot be caught by an opposing player in his “bag”. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,791 to Ball describes a shield device to aid in soccer practice and is hereby incorporated by reference. With this device, an individual player can practice kicking a soccer ball into the apparatus and have it bounced back in his or her general area. The lower area of the shield comprises a back panel and two side panels connected at an angle to the back panel. Each panel is made of a sufficiently rigid material, such as thick plywood, to absorb the impact of the kicked soccer ball. Above the panels there is netting, such as nylon netting to guard against and intercept errant flights of the ball. This patent was filed and is owned by the present inventor. Unfortunately, the support structure of the described device does not always keep the shield upright after being hit by a soccer ball. 
   What is needed is a soccer shield having good ball-return characteristics such as that of U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,791 but also having the ability to remain upright after being struck by a soccer ball. 
   OBJECTIVES 
   It is an object of this invention to provide a shield for soccer practice. 
   It is also an object of this invention to provide such a shield which will allow the ball to be bounced back toward the playing area. 
   It is also an object of this invention to provide an upper section of netting to protect against wild kicks. 
   It is also an object of this invention to provide such a shield which is preferably portable. 
   Other objects will become obvious upon reading the detailed description of the invention as given hereinafter. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, a shield for soccer practice has been designed. This shield comprises a three-sided backdrop including a back panel and two side panels each connected to the back panel and positioned at angles of more than 90 degrees with respect to the back panel. Preferably these side panels are connected to the back panel by pivoting means such as hinges so that the said angles may be adjusted and so that the side panels may be closed flush with the back panel for storage and transportation. The back panel and each of the side panels are solid and of sufficient strength to withstand the impact of a kicked soccer ball. Above each said panel there is netting, preferably made from nylon or other strong fiber, which can contain errant kicks which elude the back panel. This netting is rigidly connected to the lower solid panels in such a manner that the impact of a soccer ball will not separate the netting. The netting is fastened to two outermost posts extending above the side panels and stretched tightly over but not fastened to two posts rising from the back panels. The posts, particularly the two posts to which the netting is attached should be removable from the supporting fixtures which are affixed to the side panels. Removal of the netting is advantageous when the three panels are to be folded for transportation or storage. The side panels have bracing supports on the backside thereof to keep the shield from being knocked backward by the impact of a kicked soccer ball. This brace means is preferably detachable for storage and transportation. In some embodiments, a pair of straps is provided for holding the posts, supports and netting during storage and transportation. 
   In one embodiment, a shield for soccer practice is disclosed including a back panel with a first and a second side opposite to each other, the back panel is made of a strong rigid material capable of withstanding the impact of a kicked soccer ball, the back panel is capable of being positioned in a vertical position with the first and second sides thereby extending vertically. The shield includes a first and second side panel of a similar rigid material, the first side panel being connected to the first side of the back panel by a hinge and the second side panel being connected to the second side of the back panel by another hinge. First and second posts extend vertically upward from a back of the back panel, the first post being is removably affixed to the back of the back panel and adjacent to the first side of the back panel and the second post is removably affixed to the back of the back panel and adjacent to the second side of the back panel, the first and second posts extending above the back panel. A third post extends vertically upward from and is removably affixed to the first side panel, the third post is spaced from and parallel to a side of the first side panel which is connected to the back panel, the third post extends above the first side panel. A fourth post extends vertically upward from and is removably affixed to the second side panel, the fourth post is spaced from and parallel to a side of the second side panel which is hingedly connected to the back panel, the fourth post extending above the second side panel. Netting of strong cord having reachs from the third post, behind the first and second posts and to the fourth post, the height of the netting is approximately a height of the posts, the netting being at least temporarily affixed to the third post and to the fourth post. A first and second support capable of maintaining the shield in upright position against the impact of a kicked soccer ball is provided, the first support is removably affixed to the first side panel and extends on an angle downward in a direction towards the back area of the shield, the second support is removably affixed to the second side panel and extends on the angle downward in the direction towards the back area of the shield. 
   In another embodiment, a shield for practicing soccer is disclosed including a back panel that has a left and a right side opposite to each other, made of a strong rigid material capable of withstanding the impact of a kicked soccer ball, the back panel is capable of being positioned in a vertical position with the left and right sides extending vertically. The shield includes a left side panel of a similar rigid material and is hingedly connected to the left side of the back panel. The shield also includes a right side panel of a similar rigid material and is hingedly connected to the right side of the back panel. Left and right post extend vertically upward from the back of the back panel, the left post is removably affixed to the back panel and adjacent to the left side of the back panel and the right post is removably affixed to the back panel and adjacent to the right side of the back panel, the left and right posts extending above said back panel approximately the width of netting that captures stray soccer balls. A left side post extends vertically upward from and is removably affixed to the left side of the left side panel and a right side post extends vertically upward from and is removably affixed to the right side of the right side panel. A left and right support maintains the shield in an upright position against the impact of a kicked soccer ball, the left support removably affixed to the left side panel and extends on an angle downward in a direction towards the back area of the shield, the right is support removably affixed to the right side panel and extends on an angle downward in the direction towards the back area of the shield. The netting is made from a strong cord having a sufficient length to reach from the left side post, behind the left and right posts and to the right side post, the netting is at least temporarily affixed to the third post and to the fourth post. 
   In another embodiment, method for practicing soccer is disclosed including providing a shield for soccer practice, the shield has a back panel that has a left and a right side opposite to each other, made of a strong rigid material capable of withstanding the impact of a kicked soccer ball, the back panel is capable of being positioned in a vertical position with the left and right sides extending vertically. The shield includes a left side panel of a similar rigid material and is hingedly connected to the left side of the back panel. The shield also includes a right side panel of a similar rigid material and is hingedly connected to the right side of the back panel. Left and right post extend vertically upward from the back of the back panel, the left post is removably affixed to the back panel and adjacent to the left side of the back panel and the right post is removably affixed to the back panel and adjacent to the right side of the back panel, the left and right posts extending above said back panel approximately the width of netting that captures stray soccer balls. A left side post extends vertically upward from and is removably affixed to the left side of the left side panel and a right side post extends vertically upward from and is removably affixed to the right side of the right side panel. A left and right support maintains the shield in an upright position against the impact of a kicked soccer ball, the left support removably affixed to the left side panel and extends on an angle downward in a direction towards the back area of the shield, the right is support removably affixed to the right side panel and extends on an angle downward in the direction towards the back area of the shield. The netting is made from a strong cord having a sufficient length to reach from the left side post, behind the left and right posts and to the right side post, the netting is at least temporarily affixed to the third post and to the fourth post. The method continues with kicking a soccer ball at the shield, whereas the shield deflects the soccer ball and then playing the soccer ball after the soccer ball returns from the shield. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The description of the invention is facilitated by reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an elevational front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the juncture of two sections of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an elevational rear view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a detail view of the sleeve for holding posts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an elevational rear view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a closed configuration. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , background shield  1  comprises back panel  2  and side panels  3  and  4 . Netting  5  has upper edging  7  and lower edging  7 ′ and is fastened to posts  8  and  10 . Posts  8  and  10  have lower portions (not shown) which fit into openings in sleeves  28  and are supported by the sleeves  28 . Netting  5  is stretched around middle posts  6 / 6 ′ but is preferably not fastened to these two middle posts  6 / 6 ′. When it is desired to move or store the shield, the posts  8 / 10  are lifted off of sleeves  28  so that the netting may be folded and the side panels  3 / 4  folded onto the back panel  2 . 
     FIG. 2  shows a hinge  13  by which the right panel  4  is pivotally connected to the back panel  2 . A loop  60  is fastened to the right side panel  4 . When the post  6 ′ is inserted into its sleeve  28 , it captures the loop  60 , thereby restricting the movement of the right side panel  4  so, when hit by a soccer ball, it doesn&#39;t open wide than desired. It is preferred to hold the side panel  4  in a 120 degree relationship to the back wall  2 . Similar provisions are made with regard to the positioning of the left side panel  3  with respect to the back panel  2 . 
   The top plan view of  FIG. 3  shows angular bracing supports  40  with side panel sleeves  28 . The supports  40  are held in place by the side panel sleeves  28 , maintaining the upright position of the shield  1 . The sleeves  28  are fastened to the side panels  3 / 4  with screws  30 / 32 . The back most screw  32  is countersunk so as to not interfere with the insertion of the supports  40 . The front most screw  30  is a screw with a head such as a pan-head screw and blocks the supports  40  from passing out of their end of the sleeves  28 . Details of the sleeves  28  are shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   The partial cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4  shows another view of the bracing structure described above for  FIG. 3 . The supports  40  are held in an angular position by sleeves  28 . The sleeves  28  have screws  30 / 32  as shown in  FIG. 3 , the countersunk screw  32  positioned in the upper end of the sleeves  28 . In some embodiments, a rubber cap  52  is affixed to the end of the supports  40  to reduce slippage on paved surfaces.  FIG. 4  also shows in cross-section an optional device, namely, deflector panel  9  which will intercept a ball directed toward the lowest area of panel  2  and redirect it to a higher region of panel  2 . This will mean that the ball is bounced back in the air instead on the adjacent ground area. The deflector panel  9  is removably held in place by a bolt  44  that is secured to the deflector panel  9  by a nut  42  and passes through a hole  46  in the back panel  2 . This figure also shows how the sleeves  28  are abutted to and rigidly affixed to the back panel  2  for support of posts  6 / 6 ′. Similar arrangements apply for connectors  28  which receive and support posts  8  and  10  (posts  6  and  8  are visible on the side which is shown). 
   A rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment is shown in  FIG. 5 . The shield  1  comprises back panel  2  and side panels  3  and  4 . Netting  5  has upper edging  7  and lower edging  7 ′ and is fastened to posts  8  and  10 . Posts  8  and  10  have lower portions which fit into sleeves  28  and are supported by the sleeves  28 . Netting  5  is stretched around middle posts  6 / 6 ′ but is preferably not fastened to these two middle posts  6 / 6 ′. The supports  40  are shown with the optional rubber caps  42 , fitting into sleeves  28  on the side panels  3 / 4 . 
   When it is desired to move or store the shield, the posts  8 / 10  are lifted off of sleeves  28  so that the netting may be folded and the side panels  3 / 4  folded onto the back panel  2 . In some embodiments, carrying straps  28  are provided for carrying the posts and netting after the side panels  3 / 4  are folded against the back panel  2 . In some embodiments, a handle  50  is provided, fastened by screws  52 . The handle can be any handle known in the industry including handles made from cloth webbing, leather or metal. 
   A cutaway view of the sleeve for holding posts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 6 . The sleeve  28  is preferably cut at an angle at each end providing enhanced insertion ease for the posts  6 / 6 ′/ 10 / 12  and supports  40  as well as improving ease of assembly by exposing screws  30 / 32 . It can be seen that the back or upper screw  32  is countersunk to allow the posts  6 / 6 ′/ 10 / 12  and supports  40  to pass and enter the sleeve  28  while the front or lower screw  30  is not countersunk and its head blocks passage of the posts  6 / 6 ′/ 10 / 12  and supports  40  so they don&#39;t exit that end of the sleeve. It is recognized that other sleeve  28  configurations are possible without veering from the present invention. For example, a sleeve  28  is cut at right angles (not shown) and a hole is drilled near each end allowing a screw and screwdriver to pass through into another hole on the opposite side for fastening the sleeve  28  to the panels  2 / 3 / 4 . 
   A rear view of the shield of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 7 . The sleeves  28  for holding the back posts  6 / 6 ′ and the supports  40  are shown. The posts  8 / 10 , posts  6 / 6 ′ and supports  40  are shown held by straps  70 . For convenience, the netting  5  is wrapped around either or (preferably) both end posts  8 / 10 . 
   While plywood has been indicated as suitable for use in the panels  2 / 3 / 4  of the above device, other suitable materials may be used such as sheeting of wood, plastic, metal, etc., provided the material can withstand the impact shock of a kicked soccer ball. Moreover, other types of netting may be used in place of the nylon netting such as cotton cord, metal wire, etc., provided it has the strength to serve this purpose. Any tubing can be used for the supports  40  and posts  6 / 6 ′/ 10 / 12 . Although round tubing is preferred, any shape can be used including square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc. It is preferred that the tubing be a standard PVC tubing which is sturdy, relatively light weight and low cost. For manufacturing simplicity, the posts  6 / 6 ′/ 10 / 12  and supports  40  can be made from the same stock and be the same size, though this is not necessary. The sleeves  28  are made from tubing of the same shape as the supports  40  and posts  6 / 6 ′/ 10 / 12 . The inner diameter of the sleeves  40  is preferably slightly larger than the outer diameter of the posts  6 / 6 ′/ 10 / 12  to assure a tight fit. The sleeves  40  can be made of the same material as the posts  6 / 6 ′/ 10 / 12  or can be made from other materials such as aluminum. 
   The dimensions of the panels and the netting can be varied to convenient sizes. A practical size for portability is 2 feet high and 4 feet wide for the back panel and 2 feet by 2 feet for the side panels. The relatively small size of the back panel also allows the player to practice accuracy in his kicking. The netting may be 1-3 feet high, preferably 1.5-2 feet, and long enough to reach from the third post to the fourth post as described herein with any additional amount needed for fastening. 
   Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
   It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.