Abstract:
A hockey field goal training apparatus for partially blocking the opening of a hockey field goal. The hockey field goal training apparatus including a frame and a frame cover, the frame includes a pair of spaced apart and vertically oriented lateral leg members, wherein each lateral leg member has a top end, a bottom end and a plurality of curves there between, a horizontally oriented top member connectable to the top ends of the pair of lateral leg members via a first set of couplings, wherein the top member has a pair of hockey field goal engaging hooks, and a horizontally oriented bottom member connectable to the bottom ends of the pair of lateral leg members via a second set of couplings, the frame includes a pocket in which the frame is assembled, the frame cover constructed of a material in which a conventional hockey puck cannot penetrate.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to sporting equipment. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a hockey field goal training apparatus for partially blocking the opening of a hockey field goal. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Playing of the sport hockey involves shooting a hockey puck into a hockey field goal to score points. During play, one player, often referred to as a goalie, attempts to block the opening of the hockey field goal to prevent the hockey puck from entering the hockey field goal. Training hockey players to improve their skills frequently involves practice in shooting the hockey puck at the hockey field goal. Practicing alone, or without a goalie present, is often consider less than optimal, as a hockey field goal is rarely unguarded in actual play. 
     Over the years, a number of devices have been created to partially block the opening of a field goal. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,724 incorporated by reference herein, discloses a series of target goal nets that can be positioned within the opening of a hockey field goal for the pose of at least partially blocking the opening of the hockey field goal. The problem, however, is that the series of target goal nets block only a relatively small portion of the opening of the hockey field goal. 
     This problem is at least partially addressed by U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2014/0087894, incorporated by reference herein, which discloses a net that is configured to partially obscures the opening of a field goal. The problem with the net, however, is that it is cumbersome to install and remove. Moreover, because the net lacks rigidity, generally the net would need to be connected to both the top and sides of the field goal to prevent a fast moving hockey puck from entering a hockey field goal. 
     Accordingly, what is needed in the industry is an improved hockey field goal training apparatus that can be quickly installed and removed via a single connection to the hockey field goal, yet is readily collapsible to a storage state for easy transportation and storage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure meet the need of the industry for a hockey field goal training apparatus for partially blocking the opening of a hockey field goal that can be quickly installed and removed via a simple connection to the top of a conventional hockey field goal. The hockey field goal training apparatus includes a frame to provide the rigidity necessary to stop a fast moving hockey puck from entering a hockey field goal, while being readily disassembled into a storage state for easy transportation. 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a hockey field goal training apparatus for at least partially blocking the opening of a hockey field goal. The hockey field goal training apparatus includes a frame and a frame cover. In one embodiment, the frame includes a pair of spaced apart and vertically oriented lateral leg members, a horizontally oriented top member, and a horizontally oriented bottom member. Each lateral leg member can have a top end, a bottom end and a plurality of curves there between. The horizontally oriented top member can be connectable to the top ends of the pair of lateral leg members via a first set of couplings. In one embodiment, the member has a pair of hockey field goal engaging hooks so that the hockey field goal training apparatus can be coupled to the top of the hockey field goal. The horizontally oriented bottom member can be connectable to the bottom ends of the pair of lateral leg members via a second set of couplings. The frame cover can include a pocket in which the frame is assembled. In one embodiment, the frame cover is constructed of a material in which a conventional hockey puck cannot penetrate. 
     The summary above is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure can be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the disclosure, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view depicting a hockey field goal training apparatus mounted to a conventional hockey field goal in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view depicting the disassembled frame of a hockey field goal training apparatus comprising four pieces in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view depicting the disassembled frame of a hockey field goal training apparatus comprising seven pieces in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view depicting the frame cover of a hockey field goal training apparatus covering an assembled frame in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view depicting a hockey field goal training apparatus mounted to a conventional hockey field goal via a pair of hockey field goal engaging hooks in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view depicting a hockey field goal training apparatus, wherein the frame cover includes graphics and a cutout in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a hockey field goal training apparatus  100  mounted to a conventional hockey field goal  10  according to a disclosed embodiment is depicted. In particular, the hockey field goal training apparatus  100  is mounted to the top of the frame  12  of the hockey field goal  10 . As discussed in detail below, in one embodiment, the hockey field goal training apparatus  100  includes a frame cover that fits over a frame that hangs on hockey field goal  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , a disassemble frame  102  of hockey field goal training apparatus  100   10  according to a disclosed embodiment is depicted. In one embodiment, frame  102  is comprised of four pieces, including a pair of leg members  104 A/B, a top member  106 , and a bottom member  108 . Each leg member of the pair of leg members  104 A/B can include a top end  110  and a bottom end  112 , and a one or more curves  114  between the top end  110  and bottom end  112 . Leg members  104 A/B can be constructed of a substantially rigid material. For example, in one embodiment, leg members  104 A/B are constructed of metal tubing. In other embodiments, leg members  104 A/B are constructed of plastic, fiberglass, or another substantially rigid material. 
     Leg members  104 A/B can be selectively coupled to top member  106  via a first set of couplings  116 . In one embodiment, couplings  116  can be tubular couplings, wherein each coupling comprises two tubes, one tube being defined by a outside diameter and the other tube being defined by a internal diameter, wherein the inside diameter is sized to fit into and mate with the internal diameter, thereby allowing the two tubes to be joined together to complete the coupling. In one embodiment, the couplings  116  can further include one or more apertures  118  sized to accommodate a pin  120  (depicted in  FIG. 4 ) to secure the two tubes of the coupling in place relative to one another. 
     Top member  106  can further include a pair of hockey field goal engaging hooks  122  (see also  FIG. 4 ). In one embodiment, hockey field goal engaging hooks  122  are L-shaped metal bars having at least one portion that is configured to slide over a portion of the frame  12  of hockey field goal  10 . In other embodiments, the hockey field goal engaging hooks  122  are clamps, straps, or another type of connector. 
     Leg members  104 A/B can be selectively coupled to bottom member  108  via a second set of couplings  124 . In one embodiment, couplings  124  can be tubular couplings, like the tubular couplings described above. In one embodiment, the couplings  124  can further include one or more apertures  126  sized to accommodate a pin  120  to secure the leg members  104 A/B and bottom member  108  in a fixed position relative to one another. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , a disassemble frame  102  of hockey field goal training apparatus  100   10  comprised of seven pieces according to a disclosed embodiment is depicted. In one embodiment, frame  102  is comprised of seven pieces, including, a top member  106 , a bottom member  108  comprised of two pieces  146  and  148 , and a pair of leg members  104 A/B comprised of a top portion  142 A/B and a bottom portion  144 A/B. In one embodiment, bottom member pieces  146  and  148  can be coupled together to form completed bottom member  108  via a coupling  150 . In one embodiment, top portion  142 A/B and bottom portion  144 A/B can be coupled together to form completed leg member  104 A/B via a coupling  152 A/B. In some embodiments, couplings  150  and  152 A/B can be like the tubular couplings described above. In one embodiment, each piece of the frame  102  includes labels  162  to indicate proper assembly. 
     When assembled, the outline of the frame  102  can approximate or resemble the outline of a goalie. In particular, certain curves  114  of leg members  104 A/B can approximate the neck, shoulders, legs, and goalie stick of a goalie. In one embodiment, the bottom member  108  has an overall length greater than that of the top member  106 . Frame  102  can be constructed of a substantially rigid material. For example, in one embodiment, frame  102  is constructed primarily of metal tubing. In other embodiments, frame  102  is primarily constructed of plastic, fiberglass, or another substantially rigid material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a frame cover  128  covering an assembled frame  102  of hockey field goal training apparatus  100  according to a disclosed embodiment is depicted. Frame cover  128  can include one or more pockets  130  in which the assembled frame  102  fits. In one embodiment, a pocket  130  of the frame cover  128  is conformed to fit an outline of the assembled frame  102 . In some embodiments the frame cover  128  includes one or more flaps  132  to at least partially close the pocket  130 . In some embodiments, the flaps  132  can be secured in a closed position by straps  134 . In some embodiments, each strap  134  can include a connectable clip  136  to facilitate easy adjustment of the strap  134  and to enable a more rapid assembly and disassembly of the hockey field goal training apparatus  100 . 
     The frame cover  128  can be constructed of a material in which a conventional hockey puck cannot penetrate. For example, in one embodiment, the frame cover  128  is constructed of a vinyl tarp material. In other embodiments, the frame cover  128  is constructed of canvas, netting, mesh, nylon, polyester, rayon or some other material configured to obscure the opening of hockey field goal  10 . In another embodiment, 840 denier nylon is used for frame cover  128 . In some embodiments, the material of frame cover  128  can be darkly colored, such as black, grey, or blue, so as to provide a visual contrast between the blocked and unblocked portions of the opening of hockey field goal  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a hockey field goal training apparatus  100  mounted to a conventional hockey field goal  10  via a pair of hockey field goal engaging hooks  122  according to a disclosed embodiment is depicted. In one embodiment, the pair of hockey field goal engaging hooks  122  comprise a portion of the top member  106 . In other embodiments, the pair of hockey field goal engaging hooks  122  are fixedly coupled to either the top member  106  or the leg members  104 A/B. The pair of hockey field goal engaging hooks  122  can be curved to conform to a portion of the hockey field goal  10  frame  12 . For example, in one embodiment, each hockey field goal engaging hook  122  has a first leg  138  angled relative to a second leg  140  to form an L-shape. In other embodiments, each hockey field goal engaging hook  122  can be in the form of a J-shaped hook, U-shaped hook, or another hook shape. In one embodiment, the pair of hockey field goal engaging hooks  122  are constructed of a rigid material, for example a metal bar. 
     In operation, the hockey field goal training apparatus  100  can be configured in a disassembled/storage state or in an assembled state. The storage state enables a user to more easily transport and store the hockey field goal training apparatus  100 . When assembling the hockey field goal training apparatus  100 , a user can unfold the frame cover  128  and open the one or more flaps  132  to ensure that the pocket  130  is open. Top member  106  can be inserted into the pocket  130  through the opening in the top of the pocket  130 , or top member  106  can be inserted into the pocket  130  through the opening at the bottom of the pocket  130 . The pair leg members  104 A/B can be inserted through the opening at the bottom of the pocket  130 , and can be connected to the top member  106  while inside the pocket  103  via first set of couplings  116 . In some embodiments, one or more pins  120  can be inserted into one or more of apertures  118  on the first set of couplings to secure the top member  106  to the leg members  104 A/B. The bottom member  108  can be inserted through the opening at the bottom of the pocket  130 , and can be connected to the leg members  104 A/B while inside the pocket  103  via second set of couplings  124 . In some embodiments, one or more pins  120  can be inserted into one or more of apertures  126  on the second set of couplings  124  to secure the bottom member  108  to the leg members  104 A/B. 
     The assembled hockey field goal training apparatus  100  can be hung on the frame  12  of a conventional hockey field goal  10  via the hockey field goal engaging hooks  122 . In one embodiment, the assembled hockey field goal training apparatus  100  is configured to prevent a conventional hockey puck from penetrating the opening of a hockey field goal  10  over an area of the opening commonly occupied by a goalie. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a hockey field goal training apparatus including a specialized frame cover  128  according to a disclosed embodiment is depicted. In one embodiment, frame cover  128  includes a graphic  156  representing a goalie  157 . For example, in one embodiment, the graphic  156  is screen printed on the fabric or material of frame cover  128 . The graphic  156  can also be of, or include one or more logos  158 , such as a team name or advertising for a brand of sporting equipment or other commercial product or service. In one embodiment, frame cover  128  includes one or more cutouts  160 , through which a hockey puck can pass. Each cutout  160  can be configured in a number of shapes and sizes designed to improve puck shooting accuracy. 
     Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that embodiments may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted. Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended. Furthermore, it is intended also to include features of a claim in any other independent claim even if this claim is not directly made dependent to the independent claim. 
     Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein. 
     For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of Section 112, sixth paragraph of 35 U.S.C. are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.