Abstract:
Sports stations are provided, a representative version of which includes multiple vertical and horizontal posts interconnected to define multiple sport regions, with the multiple sport regions being configured to permit simultaneous play of different sports. At least first and second of the multiple sport regions are displaced vertically with respect to each other, and at least a third of the multiple sport regions is displaced horizontally with respect to the first and the second of the multiple sport regions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This utility application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 61/304,933, filed on Feb. 16, 2010, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present application relates to sports equipment. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Various types of sports equipment are available, with each typically being suited for a specific sport. For instance, a soccer goal is well suited for playing soccer; however, a soccer goal is not particularly useful for playing baseball. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Sports stations are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a sports station comprises multiple vertical and horizontal posts interconnected to define multiple sport regions, with the multiple sport regions being configured to permit simultaneous play of different sports. At least first and second of the multiple sport regions are displaced vertically with respect to each other, and at least a third of the multiple sport regions is displaced horizontally with respect to the first and the second of the multiple sport regions. 
         [0007]    Another exemplary embodiment of a sports station comprises: a first vertical post, a second vertical post, and a third vertical post, the first vertical post being spaced from the second vertical post, the second vertical post being spaced from the third vertical post; a first horizontal post spanning between and connected to the first vertical post and the second vertical post at corresponding intermediate locations of the first vertical post and the second vertical post such that a first sport region configured as a football goal is defined by the first horizontal post and corresponding upper ends of the first vertical post and the second vertical post; a net spanning a second sport region defined by the first horizontal post and corresponding lower ends of the first vertical post and the second vertical post; and a second horizontal post spanning between and connected to the second vertical post and the third vertical post to define a third sport region. 
         [0008]    Other systems, methods, features and/or advantages will be or may become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and/or advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of a sports station. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram depicting another exemplary embodiment of a sports station. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3A-3D  are schematic diagrams depicting assembly detail of an exemplary embodiment of a sports station. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Sports stations are provided, several exemplary embodiments of which will be described in detail. In some embodiments, a sports station includes multiple sport regions that are configured to facilitate simultaneous play of multiple sports. By way of example, a representative sports station could enable practice of skills associated with baseball, football, soccer, basketball and boxing, among others. In some embodiments, each sport can be accommodated by a sport region of the station that can be provided in a modular configuration so that various modules can be added, removed or rearranged. 
         [0014]    Referring now in more detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of an embodiment of a sports station  100 . As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the sports station  100  includes a football goal  102 , a soccer goal  104 , a football receiver target  106 , and a baseball catcher target  108 . 
         [0015]    The sports station  100  is useful as a training aid for developing soccer scoring skills, football kicking skills, football throwing and passing skills, baseball pitching skills as well as a variety of other athletic skills. For example, the football receiver target  106  includes one or more holes  107   a  appropriately positioned to simulate different catch positions of a receiver. Accordingly, a person using the sports station  100  could throw a football toward hole  107   a  to practice his aim when throwing a football pass. 
         [0016]    Similarly, the baseball catcher target  108  includes one or more holes  107   b  appropriately positioned to simulate the catch position of a baseball catcher. Accordingly, a person using the sports station  100  could throw a baseball toward hole  107   b  to practice his aim when pitching a baseball. The baseball catcher target  108  may also be used to practice softball pitching skills. 
         [0017]    As another example, a person using the sports station  100  can practice soccer scoring skills by kicking a soccer ball at the soccer goal  104 , which includes a taut net  110 . In this embodiment, when a ball is kicked at the net  110 , the ball will bounce back to the kicker so that the kicker may kick the ball once again without having to run to the soccer goal  104  to retrieve the ball. Additionally, as discussed above, the sports station  100  includes the football goal  102 , which is useful for practicing football kicking skills. 
         [0018]    Construction of the sports station  100  of  FIG. 1  will now be described. The sports station  100  includes posts  112  that are four inch diameter, tubular steel. However, in other embodiments, the posts  112  may have a different diameter (or a variety of diameters) and/or may exhibit different cross-sectional shapes. Likewise, other materials (such as those that are used as structural supports) may be used instead of steel for the posts  112 . 
         [0019]    Two central, vertical posts  112   a ,  112   b  are fastened together by a central, horizontal post  112   c , which spans between and is connected to the vertical posts at intermediate portions thereof, to form the “H” of the football goal post  102  and soccer goal  104 . The central, vertical posts  112   a ,  112   b  are substantially parallel and each have a total length of thirteen feet, with upper portions of the vertical posts forming a sport region configured as the football goal and lower portions forming another sport region configured as a soccer goal. Additional horizontal posts  112   d ,  112   e  are attached to the central, vertical posts  112   a ,  112   b  and extend from either side of the “H.” Further, additional vertical posts  112   f ,  112   g  are attached to the horizontal posts  112   d ,  112   e . The additional vertical post  112   f  has a total length of seven feet four inches, and the additional vertical post  112   g  has a total length six feet four inches. Notably, in other embodiments, various other dimensions can be used. 
         [0020]    The additional horizontal post  112   d  and vertical post  112   f  form another sport region, which is configured to mount football receiver target  106 . The football receiver target  106  may be constructed of a pliable sheet material, such as vinyl-coated polyester wrapped around up to two inches of padding, forming a durable target four feet wide and five feet tall. The football receiver target  106  is fastened to the posts  112   a ,  112   d ,  112   f  using a lading system where a bungee cord or similar cord is laced through grommets on the football receiver target  104  and around the posts  112   a ,  112   d ,  112   f . As mentioned above, the football receiver target  106  includes one or more holes  107   a  appropriately positioned to simulate different catch positions of a receiver. Additional holes  107   a  may be positioned on the football receiver target  106 , with an assigned point value under each hole  107   a  to provide the player with a game to score points when the football passes through the hole  107   a.    
         [0021]    Similarly, the additional horizontal post  112   e  and vertical post  112   g  form another sport region, which mounts baseball catcher target  108 . The baseball catcher target  108  may be constructed of vinyl-coated polyester wrapped around up to two inches of padding, forming a pliable, durable target four feet wide and four feet tall. The baseball catcher target  108  is fastened to the posts  112   b ,  112   e ,  112   g  using a lading system where a bungee cord or similar cord is laced through grommets on the football receiver target  104  and around the posts  112   b ,  112   e ,  112   g . As mentioned above, the baseball catcher target  108  includes one or more holes  107  appropriately positioned to simulate the catch position of a baseball catcher. An additional hole, simulating the strike zone of a baseball batter, may be placed on the baseball catcher target  108  to allow the pitcher to practice throwing strikes. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the football receiver target  104  and the baseball catcher target  108  include zones (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) instead of, or in addition to, holes  107 . The zones are regions of the targets  104 ,  108  that may include a bulls-eye, for example. 
         [0023]    For some embodiments, the soccer goal  104  includes a net  110  that is ten feet wide and five feet tall. The net is  100  is fastened to the posts  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   c  with either rubber straps or springs  120 . The net  110  is designed to be a bounce back net. In other words, the net  110  will be stretched taut so that when a soccer ball is kicked into the net  110 , the net  110  will cause the soccer ball to bounce back to the player. 
         [0024]    When installed, the sports station  100  will be a free-standing, permanently installed piece of sports equipment. In other words, once the sports station  100  is installed, it will not be easily portable. The posts  112   a ,  112   b ,  112   f ,  112   g  of the sports station  100  will be inserted approximately two feet into the ground  105  and surrounded by concrete, for example. However, in other embodiments, various other forms of mounting can be used, such as removable posts and base-mounted posts that can facilitate portability. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates another embodiment of a sports station. As shown in  FIG. 2 , sports station  200  includes five sport regions  201 ,  202 ,  203 ,  204  and  205 . In this embodiment, the sport regions are configured as a basketball goal, a football goal, a netted goal, a baseball target, and a punching bag/blocking target, respectively. 
         [0026]    The sports station  200  includes vertical posts  206 ,  208 ,  210  and  212 , with a horizontal posts  207  and  209  spanning between posts  206  and  208 . So configured, post  207  and upper portions of posts  206  and  208  form a football goal, while posts  207 ,  209  and lower portions of posts  206  and  208  form a soccer goal. 
         [0027]    A horizontal post  211  is connected between posts  208  and  210  to define another sport region  214 . In this embodiment, sport region  204  is configured as a baseball bay for practicing pitching and includes provisions for evaluating a practice session. In particular, sport region  204  includes a feedback system  215  that incorporates a sensor  216 , a controller  218 , a display  220  and a speaker  222 . 
         [0028]    In operation, at least one of a visual and an aural indication can be provided responsive to a pitched ball contacting the target. For instance, if the ball hits the strike zone  224  as determined by the sensor, the controller can cause the display to illuminate with the word “STRIKE” and the speaker can announce the strike. Clearly various control algorithms can be embodied within the controller to facilitate a host of responses to various inputs of a ball striking the target and various responses can be provided to facilitate various forms of play. 
         [0029]    A horizontal post  213  is connected between posts  210  and  212  to define sport region  205 . In this embodiment, sport region  205  is configured as a boxing/blocking bay for practicing boxing and/or football. Specifically, a heavy bag  230  is mounted within sport region  205  by hanging the bag from the horizontal post so that the bag is able to swing freely. In use, the bag can be struck for practicing self defense moves, such as punching or kicking, and/or can be used as a blocking/tackling dummy for football. It should be noted that this embodiment illustrates the degree of customization that can be facilitated by the sports system as various modular bays can be added. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 3A-3D  are schematic diagrams depicting assembly detail of an exemplary embodiment of a sports station. As shown in  FIG. 3A , a representative horizontal post  250  is depicted that includes mounting holes (e.g., hole  252 ) at intervals along its length. The mounting holes are used for receiving mounts (e.g., eye bolts) (not shown), which can be used for mounting a net. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 3B , a section of end  254  of the post is shown. Notably, end  254  includes a recessed cap  256  that includes a central mounting hole  258 . Cap  256  also is visible in  FIG. 3C . 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 3D , interconnection of post  250  to a post  260  is shown in an exploded view, in which a cradle cap  262  is used. The cradle cap incorporates a contoured perimeter edge  263  that is shaped to complement the exterior shape of the post  260 . Connecting of the posts is accomplished by inserting the non-contoured end of the cradle cap within the distal end of post  250 , in which the recessed cap can function as a stopper. Post  260  is then positioned against the corresponding contours of the cradle cap and a fastener  264  is inserted through aligned holes  266 ,  268  in post  260  to engage mounting hole  258 . 
         [0033]    It should be noted that although shown in use with a net configured for practicing soccer, other embodiments can incorporate nets for use with other sports, such as lacrosse and golf, for example. In some embodiments, the nets can be rather slack, whereas others can be quite taut and may incorporate provisioning for enabling tilting of the net so that a ball striking the net can be returned at various angles. 
         [0034]    Various types and arrangements of targets also can be used, such as those suited for sports other than shown in the accompanying drawings, e.g., lacrosse and hockey. Targets also can be interchangeable and/or moveable in some embodiments, further enhancing the customizability of the sports system. Additionally, various other types of sport regions can be used. For instance, a baseball hitting station can be added, among other. 
         [0035]    With respect to installation, other methods can be used. By way of example, in some embodiments, a ground sleeve can be installed that functions as a ground anchor into which removable posts can be inserted. Such a configuration could be used when permanent mounting into the ground is not appropriate. In other embodiments, a support frame can be used that does not involve below-ground fixtures. 
         [0036]    In almost all embodiments, surface area at various locations of a sports station may be used for displaying logos and/or forms of advertising. For instance, the exterior surface of posts, netting and sheet material for targets can be used. 
         [0037]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. By way of example, many materials and configurations of materials can be used besides the ones described.