Patent Publication Number: US-2012035005-A9

Title: Sports goal

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/092,499, filed Aug. 28, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to sports goals, such as hockey nets or soccer goals for example. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Conventional sports goals, such as hockey nets and soccer goals, typically have two goalposts and a crossbar extending between upper portions of the goalposts. These structural members define an opening through which scoring objects, e.g. pucks or balls traveling along a playing surface such as an ice rink or grass playing field, may pass. 
     Sports goals are typically situated at the periphery of the playing surface, so that players may endeavor to score points by causing the scoring objects to pass through the opening. 
     It would be desirable to provide a sports goal in which scoring opportunities are enhanced. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, an exemplary sports goal comprises two goalposts and a crossbar extending between upper portions of the two goalposts to define an opening. At least one of the crossbar and the two goalposts, and possibly each of the crossbar and the goalposts, has a facet that is oriented partially towards the opening. This promotes deflection of scoring objects through the opening (e.g. ricocheting of pucks off the facet into the goal) or towards an area immediately in front of the opening. Scoring opportunities may be enhanced as a result. 
     In another embodiment, an exemplary sports goal comprises two goalposts and a crossbar extending between upper portions of the two goalposts to define an opening below the crossbar and between the goalposts. At least one of the crossbar and the two goalposts has a non-cylindrical cross section oriented so as to promote deflection of scoring objects through the opening. 
     In another embodiment, an exemplary sports goal (as may be used for American or Canadian football for example) comprises a crossbar and two uprights extending upwardly from ends of the crossbar to define a scoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights. At least one of the crossbar and the two uprights, and possibly each of the crossbar and the two uprights, has a facet that is oriented partially towards the scoring area. This promotes deflection of scoring objects through the scoring area, e.g. when a football impacts upon one of the uprights or the crossbar during a field goal attempt. 
     In another embodiment, an exemplary sports goal comprises a crossbar and two uprights extending upwardly from ends of the crossbar to define a scoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights. At least one of the crossbar and the two goalposts has a non-cylindrical cross section oriented so as to promote deflection of scoring objects through the scoring area. 
     The invention will be understood more easily and other objects, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the course of the following explanatory description, which is given, without in any way implying a limitation, with reference to the attached Figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top right perspective view of an exemplary sports goal; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  showing goalposts in cross section; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  showing a crossbar in cross section; and 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate use of a conventional sports goal and use of the sports goal of  FIG. 1 , respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary sports goal  10  includes two goalposts  30 ,  40  and a crossbar  60 . The goalposts  30 ,  40  have bases  32 ,  42  and upper portions  34 ,  44  (respectively). The crossbar  60  extends between upper portions  34 ,  44  of the goalposts  30 ,  40  (respectively) to define an opening  43  through which scoring objects may pass in order to score a point. In the present embodiment, the goalposts  30 ,  40  and crossbar  60  form three sides of a polygon, specifically a rectangle. It will be appreciated that three sides of a polygon are sufficient to define an opening, given that the playing surface (e.g. ice or grass) upon which the sports goal  10  is placed (not expressly shown) is understood to complete the polygon. The crossbar  60  has a first end  62  connected to upper portion  34  of goalpost  30  and a second end  64  connected to the upper portion  44  of goalpost  40 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the exemplary sports goal  10  is a hockey net. Accordingly, the illustrated sports goal  10  includes other structural members, such as members  66 ,  70  and  37 , that collectively define, along with goalposts  30 ,  40  and crossbar  60 , an overall frame  20  on which a net (not shown) can be connected to capture scoring objects, namely hockey pucks. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to hockey nets and that alternative embodiments may not have a frame  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . In alternative embodiments, the frame may be differently shaped or may even be completely absent. For example, a soccer goal may consist only of two goalposts and a crossbar, with the bases of the goalposts being anchored (e.g. buried) within the playing surface. Different embodiments of the sports goal  10  may be used on different playing surfaces (e.g. grass, clay, turf, wood, polymer or water). 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , each of goalposts  30 ,  40  and crossbar  60  has a facet  31 ,  41  and  61  (respectively) that is oriented partially towards the opening  43 , for promoting deflection of scoring objects through the opening  43 . The facets  31 ,  41  and  61  are substantially flat surfaces. This is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1  of goalposts  30  and  40  from above the goal  10 . The exemplary goalposts  30  and  40  are faceted tubes, wherein each cross section is in the shape of a section of a circle. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, each circle section occupies more than half of the circle. Facet  31  faces a first direction D 1  while facet  41  faces a second direction D 2 . Each facet is oriented partially towards the opening  43 . In other words, a component of direction D 1  is towards the opposing goalpost  40  and a component of direction D 2  is towards the opposing goalpost  30 . 
     A notional line L extends between goalposts  30  and  40  from the innermost edge of facet  31  to the innermost edge of facet  41 . This line L may be envisioned as extending between the bases  32  and  42  ( FIG. 1 ) of the goalposts along a playing surface upon which the sports goal  10  rests (e.g. it may form part of the goal line). As shown in  FIG. 2 , each facet  31  and  41  forms an angle θ of about 95 to about 150 degrees with notional line L at its innermost edge. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of crossbar  60 , e.g. as viewed from the side of sports goal  10 . The exemplary crossbar is also a faceted tube, with its cross section also being in the shape of a section of a circle, which, in the illustrated embodiment, occupies more than half of the circle. Facet  61  faces a direction D 3  such that the facet  61  is oriented partially towards the opening  43 . In other words, a component of direction D 3  is downward. The facet  61  forms an angle a of about 5 to about 60 degrees with the horizontal at its lowermost edge. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates use of a conventional sports goal.  FIG. 4A  is included for the purpose of contrasting the use of the exemplary sports goal  10  of  FIG. 1 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 4B . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , a cross sectional view of goalposts  70  and  80  of a conventional sports goal is shown, e.g. as viewed from above. As illustrated, the goalposts  70  and  80  are tubular and have substantially circular cross sections. A notional line L (e.g. goal line) extends between the goalposts  70  and  80 . When a scoring object  72  travelling in a first trajectory T 1  impacts upon goalpost  70 , it bounces away from the goalpost  70  along a trajectory T 2  which is away from the line L between the goalposts. No goal is scored. 
     In contrast, with reference to  FIG. 4B , when the same scoring object  72  travelling in the same trajectory T 1  impacts upon facet  31  of goalpost  30  of  FIG. 1 , it is deflected in a different trajectory T 2 ′ which is towards the opening  43  between the goalposts  30  and  40 . In fact, because the object  72  crosses notional line L, a goal is scored. This illustrates the enhanced scoring opportunities that may result from the present embodiment in comparison to a conventional sports goal, which may serve to increase interest and excitement in a sporting contest. Even if the scoring object does not score a goal, it is likely to be deflected into an area or “slot” directly in front of the opening, creating excitement and focusing play within this area. The likelihood of a subsequent goal may be increased as a result, at least in comparison with conventional sports goals whose non-faceted (e.g. round) goalposts are more likely to deflect scoring objects outwardly and away from the goal scoring area. 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments. For example, although the above embodiment shows facets in both goalposts and in the crossbar, alternative embodiments may have facets in just the crossbar or in just the goalposts, or possibly even in just one goalpost (although this may result in undesirably asymmetric deflection on the right and left hand sides of the goal). Similarly, although the facets  31  and  41  are typically oriented symmetrically (in mirror image), this is not absolutely required. 
     Although goalposts  30 ,  40  and crossbar  60  are shown as faceted tubular members, they may alternatively be faceted solid members. Moreover, goalposts  30 ,  40  and crossbar  60  (whether tubular or solid) may have virtually any cross sectional shape, as long the shape incorporates a facet that is oriented partially towards the goal opening. It is also contemplated that the cross section of the goalposts  30 ,  40  can be the same or different than the cross section of the crossbar  60 . 
     In another alternative, the facets  31 ,  41  and/or  61  could have radiused corners where the facet meets the remainder of the goalpost or crossbar. In some embodiments, the facets may have a slight curvature rather than being absolutely flat. 
     Although the illustrated sports goal  10  is a hockey net, it could alternatively be any goal for another type of sport, e.g. soccer, water polo, lacrosse, polo, field hockey or otherwise. 
     In some embodiments, the dimensions of the sports goal  10  may be governed by regulations issued by a relevant governing body. For example, pursuant to the current National Hockey League (NHL) Rulebook, hockey goalposts are required to extend vertically 4 feet above the surface of the ice and to be set 6 feet apart measured from the inside of the goalposts. Moreover, the Rulebook requires the crossbar to be of the same material as the goalposts and to extend from the top of one post to the top of the other (NHL Rulebook, Rule 3(b)). Further, the Rulebook requires the net to be attached to the goal frame and to be made of a white nylon cord which shall be draped in such a manner as to prevent the puck coming to rest on the outside of it yet strung in a manner that will keep the puck in the net (NHL Rulebook, Rule 3(c)). Thus, a traditional hockey net sports goal as used in the NHL is in the form of a rectangle having a 4 foot height and 6 foot length, wherein the goalposts and the crossbar intersect at right angles at the upper two vertices of the rectangle. Lower or bottom ends of the goalposts would be spaced 6 feet apart and extend upwardly (perpendicularly) from the surface of the ice. It is understood that these requirements do not necessarily apply to all sports goal embodiments however. 
     In another embodiment, an exemplary sports goal, as may be used for American or Canadian football for example, comprises a crossbar and two uprights extending upwardly from ends of the crossbar to define a scoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights. At least one of the crossbar and the two uprights, and possibly each of the crossbar and the two uprights, has a facet that is oriented partially towards the scoring area. This promotes deflection of scoring objects (e.g. footballs) through the scoring area, e.g. when a football impacts upon one of the uprights or the crossbar during a field goal attempt. In such an embodiment, the angle of facets in the uprights may be similar to the angle of the facets in the goalposts shown in  FIG. 2 . Moreover, the angle of a facet in the crossbar may be similar to the angle of the facet shown in  FIG. 3 , except that the approximately 5 to 60 degree angle between the facet and the horizontal would be at the uppermost (not lowermost) edge of the facet. This is in view of the intended upwards (not downward) deflection for a crossbar used in a football goal versus a crossbar used in, say, a hockey or soccer goal. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with various embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and changes can be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, which accordingly is intended to be defined solely by the appended claims.