Abstract:
An automated goalkeeper assembly includes a track having a length; a goalie structure; and a base that supports the goalie structure on top of the track. The base has wheels and a motor cooperating with at least one of the wheels for moving the goalie structure along the length of the track. A player, for example, a hockey player or a soccer player, can practice scoring goals against the goalie structure. The goalie structure is preferably inflatable, and the track is preferably constructed from a plurality of track sections. The track preferably has grooves and the base preferably has flanges that cooperate with the grooves to keep the base secured in the track when the player bumps into the goalie structure. All of the components of the goalkeeper assembly can be provided as a kit that can be assembled and disassembled as desired.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a divisional application of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/234,550, filed Sep. 4, 2002, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of Provisional Application No. 60/336,905, filed on Dec. 7, 2001; the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates to an assembly for moving a goalie structure on a game-playing surface in front of a goal so that a player, for example, a hockey player or a soccer player, can practice scoring goals against the goalie structure. The assembly can also be used in place of a human goalie during live game play.  
         [0004]     2. Summary of the Invention  
         [0005]     It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an assembly for moving a goalie structure on a game-playing surface in front of a goal.  
         [0006]     With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, an assembly that includes: a track having a length; a goalie structure; and a base for supporting the goalie structure on top of the track. The base has wheels and a motor cooperating with at least one of the wheels in order to move the goalie structure along the length of the track.  
         [0007]     In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the track is constructed from a plurality of track sections.  
         [0008]     In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the track is linear.  
         [0009]     In accordance with another feature of the invention, the track has a side formed with a groove extending along the side of the track; and the base is formed with at least one flange extending into the groove of the track.  
         [0010]     In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the track has a first side formed with a first groove extending along the first side of the track and the track has a second side formed with a second groove extending along the second side of the track. The first grove is opposite the second groove. The base has at least one flange extending into the first groove; and the base has at least one flange extending into the second groove.  
         [0011]     In accordance with a further added feature of the invention, the base includes a first stabilizer wheel located near the flange that extends into the first groove; and the base includes a second stabilizer wheel located near the flange that extends into the second groove.  
         [0012]     In accordance with a further additional feature of the invention, the goalie structure is inflatable.  
         [0013]     In accordance with another added feature of the invention, the goalie structure is formed with loops; and the base is formed with retractable pins for insertion into the loops to secure the goalie structure to the base.  
         [0014]     In accordance with another additional feature of the invention, there is provided a transmitter for transmitting control signals. The base includes a receiver for receiving the control signals and a control unit for controlling the motor in response to the control signals.  
         [0015]     In accordance with another further feature of the invention, the base includes a control unit for causing the motor to move the base between a plurality of fixed positions along the length of the track.  
         [0016]     In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the plurality of the fixed positions is five positions.  
         [0017]     In accordance with yet an additional feature of the invention, the control unit causes the motor to randomly move the base between the plurality of the fixed positions.  
         [0018]     In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, there is provided a puck having a transmitter. In this case, the base includes a receiver unit constructed for making a determination as to whether the puck is towards a particular side direction with respect to the base; and the receiver unit includes a control unit for causing the motor to move the base toward the side direction.  
         [0019]     In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, there is provided a ball having a transmitter. In this case, the base includes a receiver unit constructed for making a determination as to whether the ball is towards a particular side direction with respect to the base; and the receiver unit includes a control unit for causing the motor to move the base toward the side direction.  
         [0020]     With the foregoing and other objects in view there is also provided, in accordance with the invention, a kit for assembling a moveable goalie. The kit includes: a plurality of track sections that can be assembled to form a track having a length; an inflatable goalie structure having at least one first connector; and a base having at least one second connector for mating with the first connector to attach the inflatable goalie structure to the base. The base is configured to be moveable on top of the track. The base has wheels and a motor cooperating with at least one of the wheels in order to move the goalie structure along the length of the track.  
         [0021]     In accordance with an added feature of the kit, each one of the plurality of the track sections has a first side formed with a first groove extending along the first side; and each one of the plurality of the track sections has a second side formed with a second groove extending along the second side. The first grove is opposite the second groove. The base has at least one flange constructed to extend into the first groove of at least one of the plurality of the track sections when the base is configured on the track. The base has at least one flange constructed to extend into the second groove of at least one of the plurality of the track sections when the base is configured on the track.  
         [0022]     In accordance with another feature of the kit, the base includes a first stabilizer wheel located near the flange that is constructed to extend into the first groove; and the base includes a second stabilizer wheel located near the flange that is constructed to extend into the second groove.  
         [0023]     In accordance with a further feature of the kit, there is provided, a transmitter for transmitting control signals. In this case, the base includes a receiver for receiving the control signals and a control unit for controlling the motor in response to the control signals.  
         [0024]     In accordance with a further added feature of the kit, the base includes a control unit for causing the motor to move the base between a plurality of fixed positions along the length of the track.  
         [0025]     In accordance with yet an added feature of the kit, the control unit causes the motor to randomly move the base between the plurality of the fixed positions.  
         [0026]     In accordance with yet an additional feature of the kit, there is provided, a puck having a transmitter. In this case, the base includes a receiver unit constructed for making a determination as to whether the puck is towards a particular side direction with respect to the base; and the receiver unit includes a control unit for causing the motor to move the base toward the side direction.  
         [0027]     In accordance with yet another feature of the kit, there is provided, a ball having a transmitter. In this case, the base includes a receiver unit constructed for making a determination as to whether the ball is towards a particular side direction with respect to the base; and the receiver unit includes a control unit for causing the motor to move the base toward the side direction. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a track;  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows an assembled track;  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  shows a track section;  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  shows an end portion;  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a base;  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the base;  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of the base;  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  shows a side view of the base on the track;  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  shows a perspective view, from above, of the base on the track;  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  shows a connector with a spring-loaded pin;  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a goalie structure;  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  shows a block diagram of components that are used to move the goalie structure by remote control;  
         [0040]      FIG. 13  shows a block diagram of components that are used to randomly move the goalie structure;  
         [0041]      FIG. 14  shows a block diagram of components that are used to move the goalie structure in response to the movement of a hockey puck or a soccer ball;  
         [0042]      FIG. 15  shows a hockey puck; and  
         [0043]      FIG. 16  shows a soccer ball. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0044]     Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to  FIG. 1  thereof, there is shown an exploded view of a track  12  that includes a plurality of track sections  10 . These track sections  10  can be assembled in front of a goal on a game-playing surface  5 , such as a hockey rink or a soccer field, to form the track  12  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Any number of track sections  10  can be provided, however, it is preferable to use five track sections  10  that are 72 inches long when put together. The track sections  10  are preferably made of a plastic, for example, polypropylene. After being used as will be described below, the track  12  can be disassembled and can then be assembled again on the same surface or on a different game-playing surface as desired. The track  12  has end portions  14  that are connected to opposite ends of the connected track sections  10 . Alternatively, the track could be provided as a single-track section that is 72 inches long, for example.  
         [0045]      FIG. 3  shows a track section  10  in greater detail. The track section  10  has a first side  14  with a first guide groove  16  formed therein. The track section  10  also has a second side  18  with a second guide groove  20  formed therein. The first groove  16  is opposite the second groove  20 . These grooves  16 ,  20  cooperate with flanges on a base so that the base can move along the track  12  without being knocked off the track  12  when subjected to a transverse force. The track section  10  has flat surfaces  22  and  24  upon which the wheels of the base will roll. The base will be described in detail later below. The track section  10  has recesses  26 ,  28  and tongues  30 ,  32 . The recess  26  and tongue  30  will mate with a corresponding recess and tongue of another track section  10  or with the recess  43  and tongue  36  of an end portion  14 . Such an end portion  14  is shown in  FIG. 4 . The underside of the recess  34 , which cannot be seen in the figure, has a contour shaped to match the contour of the tongue  30 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a base  40  that will move along the track  12 . The base  40  and all components of the base  40  that will be subsequently described, except for the drive wheels, are preferably made of a plastic, for example, polypropylene. The base  40  has connectors  42 - 45  that are used to secure a goalie structure to the base  40 . The base has a housing  50  that houses a non-illustrated motor. Each side of the base  40  is provided with at least one flange that will extend into one of the grooves  16  or  20  of the track sections  10 .  FIG. 5  shows that in the exemplary embodiment, two flanges  46 ,  47  have been provided on one side of the base  40 . Two flanges have also been provided on the opposite side of the base  40 , although this cannot be seen in the figure.  
         [0047]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of the base  40  so that all four flanges  46 - 49  can be seen. Before at least one of the end portions  14  is connected to the assembled track  12 , the flanges  46 - 49  will be inserted into the recesses  16 ,  20  of the track portion  10  that is at an end of the track  12 . The wheels of the base will come into contact with the flat surfaces  22  and  24  of the track portion  10 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows a bottom view of the base  40 . The base  40  has at least one, and preferably two, drive wheels  51 ,  52  that are connected to the non-illustrated motor in order to move the base  40  along the length of the track  12 . The drive wheels  51 ,  52  are preferable made of rubber and have knobs. The base  40  also preferably has guide wheels  53 - 56  that act to additionally support the base  40 . The base  40  also preferably has stabilizer wheels  57 - 60  that are located near the flanges  46 - 49  and that act to support the base  40  near the flanges  46 - 49 . This acts to reduce friction between the flanges  46 - 49  and the grooves  16 ,  20 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the base  40  on the track  12 .  FIG. 8  shows the flanges  46 ,  49  cooperating with the grooves  16  and  20  and shows the stabilizer wheels  57 ,  60  cooperating with the surfaces  22  and  24 . These features are shown using dashed lines since they are hidden from view by the end portion of the track  12 .  FIG. 9  is a perspective view from above of the base  40  on the track  12 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 10  shows a connector  42  with a spring-loaded pin  61 . By pulling on the head  64  of the pin  61 , the end  62  of the pin  61  can be retracted out of the recess  63  in order to place a loop of the goalie structure in the recess  63 . When the head  64  is released, the end  62  of the pin  61  will pass through the loop and secure the loop of the goalie structure in the recess  63 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of a goalie structure  66 , which is preferably inflatable. The goalie structure  66  is in the form of a hockey goalie, however the goalie structure  66  can take the form of a soccer goalie or any suitable player from another sport. The bottom of the goalie structure  66  has four loops, two loops  67 ,  68  towards the front and two loops towards the back, which cannot be seen in the figure. The four loops will cooperate with the connectors  42 - 45  as discussed with reference to  FIG. 9 .  
         [0052]     Once the track  12  has been assembled and before at least one of the end portions  14  is connected to the assembled track  12 , the flanges  46 - 49  are inserted into the recesses  16 ,  20  of the track portion  10  that is at an end of the track  12 . The remaining end portion  14  is then connected to complete the track  12 . The hooks of the goalie structure  66  are then connected to the connectors  42 - 45  as discussed with reference to  FIG. 9 . When the goalie structure  66  is inflatable, safety is insured, since when person playing hockey or soccer, for example, collides with the goalie structure  66 , a relatively soft collision occurs. Safety is also ensured, since no stabilizing bars are used to secure the base on the track  12 .  
         [0053]     The cooperating flanges  46 - 49  and recesses  16 ,  20  secure the base  40  and therefore, the goalie structure  66  in the track  12  even when the goalie structure is subjected to a transverse force, for example, when hit by a player.  
         [0054]     There are three different ways to control the movement of the goalie structure  66  on the track  12 . A particular embodiment of the invention can be constructed to utilize only one of these ways or can be constructed so that an operator can choose to use whichever one suits him/her at any particular time.  
         [0055]     A first movement method involves simply providing a remote control unit.  FIG. 12  is a block diagram showing the components that are used when controlling the movement of the goalie structure  66  by remote control. A handheld transmitter  70 , which is preferably shaped as a hockey puck when the goalie structure  66  is formed as a hockey goalie, has an actuator  71 . This actuator  71  tells the transmitter  70  to send out a signal causing the goalie structure  66  to move to the right or left. The signal is received by the receiver  72 , which passes the signal to the control unit  73 . The control unit then causes the motor  74  to actuate the drive wheels  51 ,  52  in order to move the goalie structure  66  in a particular direction along the track  12 . The receiver  72  and the control unit  73  will be constructed in the housing  50 , which is shown in  FIG. 5 , of the base  40 . The housing  50  can be constructed with non-illustrated vents, heat sinks, fans, or other mechanisms to dissipate the heat that will be generated by the motor  74 . An operator can then control the movement of the goalie structure  66  in response to movements of the players on the playing surface.  
         [0056]     A second movement method is illustrated using  FIG. 13  and involves providing a control unit  75  constructed to actuate the drive wheels  51 ,  52  so that the goalie structure  66  randomly moves between a plurality of fixed positions, preferably three positions on the track  12 . Since the movement of the goalie structure  66  is random, a player will not know exactly where the goalie structure  66  might move and this will provide some level of challenge for a player.  
         [0057]     A third movement method is illustrated using  FIG. 14  and involves providing a transmitter  76  in a hockey puck or a soccer ball. A receiver  76 , a control unit  78  and a motor  79  are constructed in the housing  50  of the base  40  (See  FIG. 5 ).  
         [0058]     It is very difficult to detect the exact position of a hockey puck, for example, which moves very fast. A satisfactory solution can be found by moving the goalie structure  66  between two fixed side positions that are each, for example, located 18 inches inward from each post of the goal. The movement of the goalie structure  66  is controlled by analyzing the signals obtained by two antennas  80 ,  81  of the receiver  76 . If it is determined that the transmitter  76  is located significantly outward with respect to one of the antennas  80 ,  81 , then the control unit  78  will cause the motor  79  to actuate the drive wheels  51 ,  52  so that the goalie structure  66  will move toward the corresponding side position, if it is not already in that position.  
         [0059]      FIG. 15  shows a hockey puck  90  constructed with the transmitter  76  therein.  FIG. 16  shows a soccer ball  92  constructed with the transmitter  76  therein. The transmitter  76  is integrated into a padded lightweight structure that is sewn into the wall of the soccer ball  92 .  
         [0060]     The track  12  with the base  40  and the goalie structure  66  could be assembled once and left as a permanent device in front of a goal. However, it should be understood that the components described above can form component parts of a kit.  
         [0061]     The track sections  10  will be assembled on the game-playing surface in front of a goal, and the base  40  will be properly inserted into the track  12  before attaching an end portion  14 . The goalie structure  66  will then be attached to the base  40 . The goalie structure  66  will then be moved to protect the goal while a player is practicing scoring on the goalie structure  66 . When desired the components can be disassembled for storage and subsequent assembly on the same or another game playing surface.