Abstract:
A sports goal practice backstop which attaches to a regulation goal and may remain in place, if desired, at the conclusion of practice and during games. During practice, the sports goal backstop of the present invention provides a suitable backstop to stop most balls from traveling beyond the goal. At the conclusion of practice, the sports goal backstop of the present invention is foldable such that it need not be removed at the conclusion of practice. Rather, the sports goal backstop of the present invention may remain in position, out of sight, in its folded configuration during a game without interfering with normal play.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to sporting goods, namely sports goal practice backstops for sports such as lacrosse and soccer.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     A sports goal backstop is often utilized during practice sessions to aid in ball retention and retrieval. The sports goal backstop prevents an errant shot from traveling beyond the goal and requiring the players to give chase taking time away from the practice session. Further, the sports goal backstop prevents the loss of a ball due to an errant shot. The sports goal backstop keeps the ball in the general vicinity of the practice session. In particular, a sport goal backstop may be useful during practices sessions for sports such as lacrosse and soccer.  
         [0003]     In some instances, a sports goal backstop involves a backstop which is permanently attached to a practice goal which is used in lieu of the regulation goal. This sports goal backstop/practice goal unit must be transported to the field, set up for practice, and then transported from the field. This procedure is not only cumbersome but time consuming as well.  
         [0004]     In other instances, the sports goal backstop is a removable backstop that can be used along with the regulation goal. In this instance, the sports goal backstop must still be transported to the field, set up for practice, and then transported from the field. As a result, this procedure is cumbersome and time consuming as well.  
         [0005]     What is needed is a design of sports goal practice backstop which attaches to a regulation goal and which does not have to be removed at the conclusion of practice but which may be unobtrusively folded out of sight without interfering with the regulation goal.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention reveals the next generation in sports goal practice backstops. In the present invention, the sports goal backstop attaches to a regulation goal and may remain in place, if desired, at the conclusion of practice and during games. During practice, the sports goal backstop of the present invention provides a suitable backstop to stop most balls from traveling beyond the goal. At the conclusion of practice, the sports goal backstop of the present invention is foldable such that it need not be removed at the conclusion of practice. Significantly, the sports goal backstop of the present invention may remain in position, out of sight, in its folded configuration during a game with minimal to no interference with normal play. Further, the sports goal practice backstop can be easily removed if needed.  
         [0007]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a sports goal backstop to support practice sessions. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sports goal practice backstop that need not be removed from the field in order to ready the field for regulation game play; however, the sports goal practice backstop can be easily removed if needed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sports goal practice backstop that securely attaches to a regulation goal and is foldable such that it is out of sight and does not obstruct normal play.  
         [0008]     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. Therefore, the form of the invention, as set out above, should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIGS. 1   a - 1   d  are views of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 1   a  is a top view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 1   b  is a front view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 1   c  is a side view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 1   d  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  
         [0010]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   j  are views of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   a  is a front view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop, in the open position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   b  is a side view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the open position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   b ′ is a back view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the open position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   c  is a front view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the half closed position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   d  is a side view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the half closed position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   d ′ is a back view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the half closed position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   e  is a front view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the folded in position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   f  is a side view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the folded in position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   g  is a back view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the folded in position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   h  is a front view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the closed position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   i  is a side view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the closed position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 2   j  is a back view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the closed position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  
         [0011]      FIGS. 3   a -   3   j are views of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   a  is a front view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the open position, being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   b  is a side view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the open position, being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   b ′ is a back view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the open position, being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   c  is a front view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the slide top down position, being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   d  is a side view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the slide top down position, being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   d ′ is a back view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the slide top down position, being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   e  is a front view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the slide top down and fold extension position, being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   f  is a side view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the slide top down and fold extension position, being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   h  is a back view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the slide top down and fold extension position, being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   h  is a front view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the closed position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   i  is a side view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the closed position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  FIG. 3   j  is a back view of a second embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop (with the backstop net removed for clarity), in the closed position, being used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  are views of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical soccer goal.  FIG. 4   a  is a top view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical soccer goal.  FIG. 4   b  is a front view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical soccer goal.  FIG. 4   c  is a side view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical soccer goal.  FIG. 4   d  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical soccer goal. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     Referring now to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d , there is shown one embodiment of a sports goal practice backstop  1 , with the backstop net  1   a  in place, used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal  2 , with the lacrosse goal net  2   a  in place. There is shown a sports goal backstop  1  which is divided into three sections—the left section  3 , the middle section  4 , and the right section  5 . An upper support bar  6  runs along the entire top edge of the sports goal practice backstop  1 . A left vertical support  7  runs between the left section  3  and middle section  4 . A right vertical support  8  runs between the middle section  4  and the right section  5 . A first horizontal support  9  and a second horizontal support  10  are each attached to both the left vertical support  7  and the right vertical support  8 . Hinges  11   a, b, c , and  d  respectively are located (1) along the left vertical support  7  at the mid-point between the first horizontal support  9  and the second horizontal support  10 ; (2) along the right vertical support  8  at the mid-point between the first horizontal support  9  and the second horizontal support  10 ; (3) at the connection point between the upper support bar  6  associated with the left section  3  and the middle section  4 ; and (4) at the connection point between the upper support bar  6  associated with the middle section  4  and the right section  5 . A plurality of connecting means  12  attach the sports goal practice backstop  1  to the typical lacrosse goal  2 . The backstop net  1   a  associated with the middle section  4  is shorter than the backstop net  1   a  associated with the left section  3  or the right section  5  to allow for proper placement of the sports goal practice backstop  1  with the typical lacrosse goal  2 .  
         [0014]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a - 2   j , there is shown one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop  1  being used in the conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal  2 . Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   b ′ there is shown the open position of the sports goal practice backstop  1 . For clarity, the backstop net  1   a  has been removed in  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   b ′. Referring now to  FIGS. 2   c ,  2   d , and  2   d ′ there is shown the half closed position of the sports goal practice backstop  1 . For clarity, the backstop net  1   a  has been removed from  FIGS. 2   c ,  2   d , and  2   d ′. The half closed position is achieved by folding the top of the sports goal practice backstop  1  to the rear of the typical lacrosse goal  2  at the hinges  11   a  and  11   b . Referring now to  FIGS. 2   e ,  2   f , and  2   g  there is shown the folded in position of the sport goal practice backstop  1 . For clarity, the backstop net  1   a  has been removed from  FIGS. 2   e ,  2   f , and  2   g . The folded in position is achieved after the half closed position is completed by folding the left section  3  rearward and inward at the hinge  11   c  and folding the right section  5  rearward and inward at the hinge lid. Referring now to  FIGS. 2   h ,  2   i , and  2   j  there is shown the closed position of the sport goal practice backstop  1 . For clarity, the backstop net  1   a  has been removed from  FIGS. 2   h ,  2   i , and  2   j . The closed position is achieved after the half closed and folded in positions are completed by rotating the left and rights sections  3  and  4  forward at hinges  11   c  and  11   d.    
         [0015]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a - 3   j , there is shown a second embodiment of a sports goal practice backstop  31  used in conjunction with a typical lacrosse goal  2 , with a lacrosse goal net  2   a . There is shown a sports goal backstop  31 , with a backstop net  31   a , which is divided into three sections—the left section  33 , the middle section  34 , and the right section  35 . An upper support bar  36  runs along the entire top edge of the sports goal practice backstop  31 . A left vertical support  37  runs between the left section  33  and middle section  34 . The left vertical support  37  is telescoping. A right vertical support  38  runs between the middle section  34  and the right section  35 . The right vertical support  38  is telescoping as well. A first horizontal support  39  and a second horizontal support  40  are each attached to both the left vertical support  37  and the right vertical support  38 . Hinges  41   a  and b respectively are located (1) at the connection point between the upper support bar  36  associated with the left section  33  and the middle section  34 ; and (2) at the connection point between the upper support bar  36  associated with the middle section  34  and the right section  35 . A plurality of connecting means  42  attach the sports goal practice backstop  31  to the typical lacrosse goal  2 .  
         [0016]     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a ,  3   b , and  3   c , there is shown the open position of the sports goal practice backstop  31 . For clarity, the backstop net  31   a  has been removed from  FIGS. 3   b  and  3   b ′. Referring now to  FIGS. 3   c ,  3   d , and  3   d ′ there is shown the slide top down position of the sports goal practice backstop  31 . For clarity, the backstop net  31   a  has been removed from  FIGS. 3   c ,  3   d , and  3   d ′. The slide top down position is achieved by the telescoping left vertical support  37  and the right vertical support  38 . Referring now to  FIGS. 3   e ,  3   f , and  3   g , there is shown the slide top down and fold extension position of the sports goal practice backstop  31 . For clarity, the backstop net  31   a  has been removed from  FIGS. 3   e ,  3   f , and  3   g . The slide top down and fold extension position is achieved after the slide down position is completed by folding the left section  33  rearward at the hinge  41   a  and folding the right section  45  rearward at the hinge  41   b . Referring now to  FIGS. 3   h ,  3   i , and  3   j , there is shown the closed position of the sport goal practice backstop  31 . For clarity, the backstop net  31   a  has been removed from  FIGS. 3   h ,  3   i , and  3   j . The closed position is achieved after the slide down and slide top down and fold extension positions are completed by folding the left section  33  down at the hinge  41   a  and folding the right section  45  down at the hinge  41   b.    
         [0017]     Additionally, the sports goal practice backstop of the present invention may be used in conjunction with other typical sports which utilize goals such as soccer, street hockey, ice hockey, field hockey.  FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  are views of one embodiment of the sports goal practice backstop being used in conjunction with a typical soccer goal. Further, the backstop could also be utilized when practicing sports such as golf.