PORTABLE PRACTICE TARGETS FOR PRACTICING HITTING A TARGET ATTACHED TO A GOAL POST OR CROSSBAR

A portable target assembly for use in a sport wherein a projectile is propelled at a goal, the portable target assembly comprises a front face and rear face separated by a solid material, and a magnet secured to the portable target assembly allowing the portable target assembly to be magnetically attached to a goal post or crossbar. A magnetically receptive material is coupled to a goal post or crossbar when the post or crossbar is not made of a magnetic material. A method of sport training, comprising the steps of: providing a portable target assembly having a front face and a rear face separated by a solid material with a magnet secured thereto; securing the portable target assembly to a goal post or a cross bar of a goal such that the portable target assembly protrudes into a goal region of the goal; launching a projectile at the portable target assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for practicing hitting a portable target assembly attached to a goal post or crossbar to improve a person's accuracy.

Description of the Related Art

In sports having a goal protected by a goalie there are areas around the perimeter of the goal that are more likely to result in a propelled object getting by the goalie. The perimeter of the goal opening is defined by two vertical goal posts separated by an upper crossbar and the playing surface. Practice targets are attached to the goal posts or crossbar for a player to aim at during a practice session.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,283 by LeBel and Melendez discloses a contact member springily associated with a support arm which is used to mount a portable target assembly to a support which preferably includes the crossbar or posts of a standard hockey goal. The support arm is attached to the post or crossbar using a bolt making it difficult to quickly remove the portable target assembly. Also, the size reduces the portability of the target by a player.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,650 by MacDonald discloses a target support sized to approximate the goal and at least two targets positioned thereon. The practice apparatus is preferably a freestanding apparatus supported by support legs. Due to the size of this practice assembly it is not easily portable by a player.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,153 by Masin discloses a target which includes a band of steel with a pocket connected to the band of steel for catching an object. A spring is, at one end, connected to the target and, at the opposite end connected to a clamping device such that the entire assembly can be connected to a goal post or crossbar. The clamping device increased the size and amount of time to remove the target from the post or crossbar thus reducing the portability of the target.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,604 by Birss discloses a target apparatus that includes a bracket for attachment to a goal frame member. The target apparatus being physically clamped to the post or crossbar increases the difficulty of removing the target and reduces its portability by a player.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A portable target assembly for use in a sport wherein a projectile is shot at a goal, the portable target assembly comprises a front face and rear face separated by a solid material, and at least one magnet secured to the portable target assembly allowing the portable target assembly to be magnetically attached to a goal post or crossbar. The magnet may be comprised of at least one permanent magnet or of a flexible magnetic strip. In one embodiment the magnet may be securely attached to a straight edge formed perpendicular to the front face and the rear face along the circumference of the portable target assembly, the width of the straight edge being the distance between the front face and the rear face. In yet another embodiment the magnetic material is secured to the rear face of the portable target assembly. In cases where the goal post and crossbar are not made from a magnetic material, a strip of magnetic receptive material may be secured to the goal post or crossbar thus allowing the portable target assembly to magnetically attach to the post or crossbar.

A method of sport training, comprising the steps of: providing a portable target assembly having a front face and a rear face separated by a solid material with a magnet secured thereto; securing the portable target assembly to a goal post or a cross bar of a goal such that the portable target assembly protrudes into a goal region of the goal; propelling a projectile at the portable target assembly. The method further comprising coupling a magnetically receptive material to a goal that is not magnetically receptive such that the magnet of the portable target assembly may be magnetically coupled thereto. The method wherein the portable target assembly includes a straight edge and the magnet is disposed on the portable target assembly near the straight edge thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an “example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc.

Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features, functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

In general, the embodiments of this invention comprise securing a magnet to a portable target assembly such that the portable target assembly is easily attached to a magnetic goal post or crossbar. The magnets comprise permanent magnets and flexible magnetic materials. These portable target assemblies may be used in sports having a goal such as hockey, lacrosse, ringette, broomball, and soccer. When the goal post or crossbar is not made from a magnetic material a magnetically receptive material may be secured to the goal post or crossbar in at least one area allowing the portable target assembly to be attached. The target assemblies of the present invention are easily removed from the goal post or crossbar and stored in player's gym bag or other carrying device. The portable target assembly comprises a front face, a rear face, and a solid material between the front and rear face forming the body of the portable target assembly. An edge is formed around the circumference of the portable target assembly allowing at least one magnet to be secured on the surface of the edge, or partially or wholly within the body of the target wherein the portable target assembly attaches to a goal post or crossbar along the edge of the portable target assembly. An alternative is to secure at least one magnet to the surface of the rear face, or partially or wholly within the body of the assembly so that the portable target assembly attaches to the goal post or crossbar at the rear face of the portable target assembly.

FIG. 1illustrates one embodiment of a portable target assembly100wherein permanent magnets106are embedded in the portable target assembly100. In this embodiment the portable target assembly100is shown to be circular in shape with a portion of the circle missing along a chord of the circle to form a straight edge103. The portable target assembly100shown has a front face102and a rear face104separated by a solid material. Two holes are depicted that have been created by removing material perpendicular to the straight edge103, the holes being sized to securely receive two magnets106. The magnets106are shown to be flush to the straight edge103, but this is not a requirement as long as they are secured so they can't be pulled out of the portable target assembly100.

FIG. 2illustrates yet another embodiment of a portable target assembly200wherein a strip of magnetic material206is secured to the portable target assembly200. In this embodiment the portable target assembly200is shown to be circular in shape with a straight edge203. The portable target assembly200shown has a front face102and a rear face104separated by a solid material. A magnetic strip206is secured to the straight edge203of the portable target assembly.

FIG. 3illustrates yet another embodiment of a portable target assembly300wherein discreet magnets306are embedded in the rear face304adjacent to the straight edge of the portable target assembly300. Two holes are depicted that have been created by removing material parallel to the rear face304, the holes being sized to securely receive two magnets306. The magnets306are shown to be flush to the rear face304, but this is not a requirement as long as they are secured so they can't be pulled out of the portable target assembly.

FIG. 4illustrates yet another embodiment of a portable target assembly400wherein a strip of magnetic material406is secured to the portable target assembly200. In this embodiment the portable target assembly400is shown to be circular in shape with a straight edge403. The portable target assembly200has a front face102and a rear face104separated by a solid material. A magnetic strip206is secured to the rear face404adjacent to the straight edge403of the portable target assembly400.

FIG. 5illustrates yet another embodiment of a portable target assembly500wherein two permanent magnets506are embedded in the portable target assembly500. In this embodiment the portable target assembly500is shown to be circular in shape with a straight edge503. The portable target assembly500has a front face502and a rear face504separated by a solid material. There are two raised areas505on the front face502and the rear face504providing additional material in the area where the magnets are attached. Two holes are depicted that have been created by removing material perpendicular to the face of the straight edge103and centered in the raised areas505, the holes being sized to securely receive two magnets506. The magnets506are shown to be flush to the straight edge103, but this is not a requirement as long as they are secured so they can't be pulled out of the portable target assembly.

FIG. 6illustrates different arrangements of the front face and rear face that may be used for the portable target assembly according to three embodiments of the invention. Target assemble602is formed from two separate pieces of material being securely connected at a right angle to each other. At least one magnet606is embedded in a short piece601attached to the target area, the target area having a front face608and a rear face610that are parallel and separated by a solid material.

A second portable target assembly603has a front face608and a rear face610that are not parallel to each other. At least one magnet606is embedded in a straight edge of the portable target assembly.

In a third portable target assembly605the shape is the same as portable target assembly603except the straight edge has been formed into a concave shape612to match the curvature of a goal post and crossbar.

FIG. 7illustrates different shapes that may be used for the portable target assembly. These shapes include but are not limited to a circle702, a rectangle/square704, and a hexagon706. At least one magnet may be secured to the edge forming the circumference of the portable target assembly or on the rear face adjacent to a straight edge of the rectangle/square704or hexagon706. In the case of a full circle702at least one magnet may be secured to the rear face along a chord of the circle.

FIG. 8illustrates a portable target assembly attached to a goal post according to one embodiment of the invention. A circular portable target assembly800has two magnets806embedded it the solid material separating the front face802from the rear face804. The magnets806securely hold the portable target assembly800to the goal post810. The goal post810in this embodiment is made from a magnetic material such as steel.

FIG. 9illustrates a portable target assembly900attached to a goal post910made from a non-magnetic material according to one embodiment of the invention. In this case where the goal post and/or crossbar are not made from a magnetic material a magnetic receptive material must be attached to the goal post or crossbar in at least one position to allowing the attachment of a portable target assembly. In the illustration a strip of magnetic receptive material912is attached to the post910. The magnets906of the portable target assembly900can then attach to the magnetic receptive strip912. Magnetic receptive strips may be located at strategic points along the goal post and crossbar or a continuous magnetic receptive strip may be applied along the entire length of the goal posts and crossbar. The magnetic receptive strip may comprise flexible magnetic receptive materials as well as flexible magnetic materials.

FIG. 10illustrates yet another embodiment of a target assembly wherein a receptive body1012is magnetically attached to a goal post or crossbar1010, a removable target body1002being secured to the receptive body1012. Receptive body1012is magnetically attached to a goal post or crossbar1010by magnets1006secured to the receptive body1012. In this embodiment a slot may be formed in the receptive body1012to accept a removable target body1002. In one embodiment the removable target body1002is held in the slot by a compression fit. Other embodiments may include attaching the removable target body1002to the receptive body1012using screws1014or other means. In this manner different shapes and sizes of removable target bodies may be secured to the receptive body1012. A player may start with a large removable target body and as they improve may change out the large removable target body for a smaller target body. The removable target bodies may be purchased or the player may use discarded materials such as compact discs, records, or other items.

FIG. 11illustrates the placement of target assemblies along a goal post1102or crossbar1104wherein the target assembly protrudes into the goal region1100of the goal. The goal region1100defined as area between two goal posts, the playing surface, and the crossbar attached to the upper ends of the two goal posts and the playing surface. The portable target assembly positions are illustrative only and not necessarily the optimal positions for the placement of the target assemblies. Small targets1106and large targets1108may be placed along the goal posts1102and the crossbar1104. Depending on the skill level of a player, an advanced player may use small target assemblies1106, whereas a beginning player may want to use a large portable target assembly1108. All skill levels can be easily accommodated since the target assemblies can be easily and quickly placed anywhere along the perimeter of the goal opening. Once a play is finished the portable target assemblies can be quickly removed and stored in a gym bag or other carrying case.

A method of sports training comprises providing a portable target assembly having a front face and a rear face separated by a solid material with a magnet secured thereto, securing the portable target to a goal post or a crossbar of a goal such that the portable target assembly protrudes into the goal region of the goal, and launching a projectile at the portable target assembly. The method further comprises coupling a magnetically receptive material to a goal that is not magnetically receptive such that the magnet of the portable target assembly may be magnetically coupled thereto. The portable target assembly may include a straight edge and the magnet is disposed on the portable target assembly near the straight edge thereof.

The illustrative embodiments disclosed herein have been shown having two magnets or a single piece of magnetic material. It is not a requirement that two magnets or a single strip of magnetic material be used since any number of magnets or strips of magnetic material may be used as long as the portable target assembly can be easily attached to a goal post or crossbar and quickly and easily removed by a player. The magnet shape need not be round, but may be any shape or thickness as long as the portable target assembly can attach to a goal post or crossbar. The magnets are shown to be flush to a straight edge or in contact with the surface of the portable target assembly, but this is not a requirement as long as they are secured so they can't be pulled out of the portable target assembly. Magnets may be embedded in the portable target assembly but extend partially above the surface, or completely embedded within the body of the portable target assembly. As long as the result allows the portable target assembly to be magnetically attaches to a goal post or crossbar.