Goal for ball games

Sports training apparatus has a substantially vertical base and a hoop-carrying member adapted to be attached to the base in a pre-selected position. The hoop-carrying member has attached at least one mounting bracket and hoop assembly of a mounting bracket supporting a hoop. The base can have a backboard attached also, with the backboard including at least one ball-support bracket adapted to receive and/or retain a ball, and the backboard is spaced from the base in a direction opposite the hoop. The hoop-carrying member can be adapted to be attached to the base in a plurality of pre-selected vertical positions, and the top portion of the base can have an angular portion carrying at least one hoop, in which the angular portion carries a hoop adapted to be located in a plurality of positions along its path.

This invention relates to sports training apparatus, and in particular to
 apparatus designed to improve throwing and catching techniques in ball
 games, such as rugby, netball, basketball, American football, and the
 like.
 For example, in the game of rugby, the technique of throwing and catching
 are most obviously demonstrated in the `line out`, when a player known as
 the `hooker` throws the ball down a line of players in the hope that it
 will be caught by another player known as the `lock`. It is an object of
 the present invention to provide training apparatus which can be used to
 improve the hooker's throwing skills, and the jumping and catching skills
 of the lock. These skills are also an essential part of many other ball
 games, such as those mentioned above.
 In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is
 provided sports training apparatus, comprising a substantially vertical
 base, a hoop and a bracket for receiving a ball, said hoop and said
 bracket being mounted at a position above ground level on said base.
 In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is
 provided sports training apparatus comprising a base and a hoop mounted on
 said base at a position above ground level, said hoop being orientable
 relative to said base.
 In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is
 provided sports training apparatus comprising a base and a bracket for
 receiving a ball, said bracket being mounted on said base at a position
 above ground level.
 The sports training apparatus of the present invention preferably comprises
 at least two hoops and at least two brackets.
 In one embodiment of the present invention the base may comprise a
 substantially vertical post comprising three sections an elongate
 generally vertical pole, a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the
 pole and an end section connected to the upper end of the pole. The upper
 end of the pole is preferably bent to form an angular portion. The sleeve
 is preferably free to move up and down along the pole and is preferably
 provided with handles for moving the sleeve up and down along the pole.
 A holding pin may be provided, the pole having at least one aperture into
 which the holding pin can be inserted to fix the sleeve relative to the
 pole. In a preferred embodiment, the pole is provided with a plurality of
 apertures into which the holding pin can be inserted so as to fix the
 sleeve at any one of a plurality of different heights relative to the
 pole.
 The hoop and bracket are preferably mounted at the outer end of respective
 horizontal supports extending from diametrically opposing positions on the
 sleeve. Similarly, another hoop and bracket may be mounted at the outer
 end of a respective horizontal support extending from diametrically
 opposing positions at or adjacent the end of the end section. The position
 of the hoop and bracket relative to the end section may be adjustable, and
 the bracket or brackets are preferably mounted on an angled backboard.
 The apparatus preferably comprises a ground support which can be fixed in
 or on the ground and comprises a generally tubular member into which the
 base of the apparatus is inserted. All or part of the base may be covered
 with a padded material.
 In another embodiment of the present invention, the base comprises two
 substantially vertical posts which are parallel to and spaced apart from
 each other. The vertical posts are held together as a single unit by means
 of one or more strengthening brackets. The strengthening brackets may
 comprise two generally C-shaped sections which are joined together by a
 central flat section.
 The apparatus can comprise tubular ground support into which the vertical
 posts are inserted, the ground supports being fixed in or on the ground in
 use. The vertical posts may be attached to the ground supports by means of
 a bolt which passes through corresponding apertures in the posts and in
 the ground supports. In a preferred embodiment, the vertical posts
 comprise a plurality of apertures along at least a portion of their length
 such that the height of the apparatus relative to the ground can be
 adjusted. The vertical post may also comprise a plurality of apertures
 around at least a portion of its circumference so that the posts can be
 twisted in the ground supports and fixed in any desired position in use.
 Similarly, the vertical posts may be provided with a plurality of
 apertures around at least a portion of their circumference in the position
 at which the strengthening brackets are located.
 In both embodiments of the present invention, the or each ground support is
 preferably provided with a closure at ground level for closing off the top
 of the or each ground support when the base of the apparatus is removed
 therefrom. Furthermore, the hoop can be provided with a removable net.
 Referring back to the second embodiment of the present invention one hoop
 is preferably mounted at or adjacent the upper end of one of the vertical
 posts, the upper end preferably being bent to form an angular portion. The
 vertical post may comprise means for adjusting the position of the hoop
 relative to the vertical post.
 The ball-receiving bracket is preferably mounted at the upper end of the
 other vertical post. A backboard may be mounted at the upper end of the
 other vertical post and the ball-receiving bracket is supported on the
 backboard. Again, the upper end of the other vertical post is preferably
 bent so as to form an angular portion. Similarly, the vertical post may
 again comprise means for adjusting the position of the bracket relative to
 the vertical post.
 Two or more ball-receiving brackets may be provided on one backboard

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, sports training apparatus
 according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises two
 substantially vertical posts 1, 2. The posts are held together to form a
 single unit by means of one or more strengthening brackets 3. The
 strengthening brackets 3 are bolted to the posts 1, 2 at various positions
 along their length. The number of strengthening brackets necessary will
 depend upon the length of the posts. When the apparatus is assembled, the
 posts are held in a position spaced apart from and parallel to each other,
 as shown.
 Referring to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the strengthening brackets consist of
 two generally C-shaped portions 50 which are joined together by a central
 web 52 such that the openings of the C-shaped portions face outwards, as
 shown. In use, each of the posts 1, 2 is inserted through the centre of
 one of the C-shaped sections and the strengthening bracket is moved along
 the posts to the required position. Bolt holes 54 are provided in each of
 the C-shaped sections for receiving a bolt (not shown) to fix the
 strengthening bracket to each of the two posts at the required position.
 The strengthening brackets 3 are designed to avoid trapping limbs and
 fingers.
 Referring back to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the lower ends of the
 posts 1, 2 are held in tubular supports 13. During assembly, each post 1,
 2 is slid into one of the tubular supports 13, and braces 20 are used to
 ensure that the position of the posts remains fixed. The tubular supports
 13 are fixed to a base plate 14 which can be fixed on or in the ground at
 any desired location.
 The posts 1, 2 are fixed in the tubular supports by means of a bolt 9 which
 passes through corresponding apertures in the post and the tubular
 support. The posts may be provided with a plurality of apertures (not
 shown) along a portion of its length such that the height of the apparatus
 can be altered according to requirements. In addition, the posts 1, 2 can
 be rotated within the tubular supports 13 and a plurality of apertures
 (not shown) may be provided around a portion of the circumference of the
 posts such that they can be fixed in any desired position.
 The apparatus can be removed for storage by simply drawing the posts 1, 2
 out of the tubular supports 13. First, the bolts in the strengthening
 brackets 3 must be loosened or removed and the strengthening brackets are
 then moved down to the base of the posts. Then the posts are drawn out of
 the tubular supports 13 and removed from the strengthening brackets 3 at
 the base of the posts. If the posts are required to be rotated, the bolts
 in the strengthening brackets 3 are removed, the post rotated and the
 bolts can then be replaced. A plurality of apertures (not shown) may be
 provided for this purpose around at least a portion of the circumference
 of each of the posts in the location at which the strengthening brackets 3
 are to be fixed.
 Each of the tubular supports 13 is provided with a closure 8 at ground
 level. When the posts are removed from the tubular supports, the opening
 at the top of the tubular supports can be closed off in order to avoid
 foot and ankle injuries.
 The upper end of one of the posts 1 is bent so as to provide an angular
 portion 60. A hoop 5 is mounted at a position adjacent the end of the
 angular portion 60 by means of a mounting bracket 16. A plurality of
 apertures (not shown) may be provided in the angular portion 60 so as to
 enable the height and orientation of the hoop 5 to be altered according to
 requirements. A removable net 61 is provided around the circumference of
 the hoop 5 so as to form a basket through which a ball can be thrown.
 The upper end of the other post 2 is also bent to form an angular portion
 62 (as shown in FIG. 2). A frame 6 is welded to the end of the angular
 portion 62, and a backboard 7 is mounted to the frame 6. Thus, a stable,
 angled backboard is provided on which one or more ball support brackets 18
 can be mounted.
 Referring to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the ball support brackets 18 each
 comprise two parallel arms 70 which are spaced apart from each other so as
 to provide a gap between them for receiving a ball (not shown). The arms
 are designed so that they can be used to support a ball in a horizontal or
 vertical position, as required. The outer ends 72 of the arms are curved
 inwardly towards each other, and the opposite ends 74 of the arms are
 mounted to a support plate 78 Referring back to FIG. 2, the ball support
 brackets are mounted to the backboard 7 via the support plate 78 by means
 of bolts 76 which pass through apertures (not shown) in the backboard 7
 and the support plate 78. The arms 70 are formed of solid bars or rods
 which are bent to form generally U-shaped elements. The bolts 76 may pass
 through the support plate 78 into the opening at the end of the tubular
 members, as shown. In the example shown, three brackets 18 are provided,
 the brackets being staggered diagonally across the backboard 7.
 The posts 1, 2 may be angled to differing degrees according to
 requirements. The use of two posts, one for supporting the hoop 5 and one
 for supporting the brackets 18, increases the safety and versatility of
 the apparatus. Each post may be angled to differing degrees, and in plan
 the bends may be set to any angle. In the example shown, the post 1 which
 supports the hoop 5 is bent so as to facilitate a jumping catch. The post
 2 which supports the brackets 18 is bent so as to ensure that the
 backboard is a safe distance from the other post 1 to avoid collision of
 players with the post 1.
 Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings, a second embodiment of the
 training apparatus of the present invention is similar in many respects to
 the first embodiment. However, in this case, the apparatus comprises only
 a single post 150.
 The post 150 is comprised of three sections A, B and C. Section A comprises
 an elongate, generally vertical tubular pole, the upper end of which is
 bent to form an angular portion 80 (as shown in FIG. 6). The pole is
 provided with a plurality of apertures 270, as shown.
 Section C is a sleeve which surrounds a portion of the length of section A,
 and freely slides up and down section A. The apertures 270 in section A
 enable section C to be positioned at one of a plurality of different
 heights according to requirements. At the base of section C are situated
 two handles 90 which provide the means by which section C can be moved up
 and down. Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings, section C is lifted to the
 required height, and a holding pin 180 is provided which is inserted into
 one of the apertures 270 in section A, at the required height. The base of
 section C is provided with a groove (not shown) which is lowered onto the
 pin. R-clips 170 are provided to hold the pin 180 in place. The pin 180
 and the R-clips 170 are chained to the handle 90 at the base of section C.
 A mounting bracket is provided which comprises two pairs of horizontal
 metal bars 160 which extend outwards from respective diametrically
 opposite sides of section C, at a position at or adjacent the upper end of
 section C, as shown. A hoop 130 is mounted at the outer end of one of the
 pairs of metal bars 160. The hoop may be provided with a removable net 190
 so as to form a basket through which a ball can be thrown.
 An angled backboard 140 is mounted to the outer ends of the other pair of
 metal bars 160. A padded ball support bracket 120 extends substantially
 horizontally from the backboard 140. Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings,
 the ball support bracket 120 is substantially same at that described with
 reference to the first embodiment of the present invention. The angled
 backboard 140 is positioned to facilitate unassisted jumping, and can be
 raised or lowered by sliding section C up or down section A as described
 above. The number of different heights to which the hoop and angled
 backboard can be adjusted is defined only by the number of apertures
 provided in section A. Furthermore, the mounting bracket 160 can be swung
 around at least a portion of the circumference of section C.
 Referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, a tubular ground support 202 is buried in
 the ground 102. The apparatus is fixed to the ground by inserting the
 lower end of the post 150 into the tubular ground support 202. A bolt 240
 is provided to secure the post 150 to the ground support 202. The
 apparatus is thereby held securely in place, while allowing it to be
 easily removed as required. Furthermore, the post 150 can be rotated
 within the ground support 202 so as to avoid surface wear. In order to
 rotate or remove the post 150 it is necessary to remove the bolt 240.
 The ground support 202 is again provided with a closure 230 at or below
 ground level. When the post 150 is removed, the closure is used to close
 off the end of the tubular ground support 202 so as to prevent foot and
 ankle injuries. Section A provides suitable means by which it may be fixed
 to the closure 230 on top of the ground support 202.
 Section B is an elongate portion which interlocks with the upper end of
 section C and provides a closure for sections A+C. A further mounting
 bracket is provided which comprises two pairs of horizontal metal bars 160
 which extend outwardly from diametrically opposite sides of section B.
 Another hoop 130 is mounted at the outer end of one of the pair of bars,
 and another angled backboard 140 having a ball support bracket 120 is
 mounted at the outer end of the other pair of bars. This second angled
 backboard facilitates assisted jumping. The degree of bend in the post 150
 chosen to ensure that the backboard set at the height for assisted jumping
 does not interfere with the backboard set for unassisted jumping. The
 mounting bracket can be moved along section B so as to adjust the height
 of the hoop and backboard according to requirements.
 Padding covers the post 150 from the base to the top of section C, and is
 provided in three parts. The first part 250 provides suitable means by
 which it is attached to and therefore completely covers the circular base
 of section A. The second part 100 provides suitable means by which it is
 attached to and therefore completely covers section C. The third part 110
 of padding covers the gap between top and bottom sections, and has
 attached at a convenient position suitable means by which it can be pushed
 up or pulled down to reveal the handles 90 which facilitate the movement
 of section C.
 In the light of this disclosure, modifications of the described
 embodiments, as well as other embodiments, all within the scope of the
 present invention as defined by the appended claims, will now be apparent
 to persons skilled in the art.