Patent Publication Number: US-2023138619-A1

Title: Game practicing apparatus and system

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to practicing and improving gaming skills, and, more particularly, to a game practicing system or apparatus for practicing a game involving propelling a playing piece into a goal of a goal post. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Sports, nowadays, are a billion dollar a year industry in the United States. Worldwide the numbers are even more staggering. Such success of sports has created a great need to teach players the required skills necessary to excel at a chosen sport or sports. Many sports require players to rely on a great deal of hand-eye or foot-eye coordination. For example, football, baseball, soccer and hockey or ice-hockey, to name a few, require such hand-eye or foot-eye coordination. 
     Particularly, in ice-hockey, players work long hours to develop a quick release and place the shot in a location of the net away from the goalie, typically in one of the four corners of the net tied on to a goal post. Thus, there is a tremendous need in the sports field for a simple device and method for training such skills as they relate to multiple sports. 
     In this regard, various practice devices have been conventionally developed, which may have helped indicate when a player has successfully placed his/her shot in one of the four corners of the net tied on to the goal post. One such known device utilizes a large board, may be typically made of plywood, that would cover the net opening, except for the four corners, which are left open. A successful shot goes through one of the corner openings and into the goal defined by the net tied on to the goal post. However, such devices are extremely large, heavy and cumbersome to handle; it is also difficult to store when not in use. Over time, such wooden devices eventually become dilapidated from constant bombardment with pucks, leaving shards of wood on the ice and elsewhere. 
     Other known devices provide targets that are adapted to attached along the corners of the goal post, at which a player can take aim. Such devices often include various plastic or wood targets, such as cartons or plastic target panels, and may carry a target indicium imprinted on its surface. One known device may utilize a steel and tarpaulin mesh material for construction of the target, and carries an imprinted target thereon. 
     Further, with such prior art devices, the player tends to look at the target while getting ready to shoot, but then to look down while shooting. This does not produce the desired skill level, especially for higher levels of ice-hockey or other such types of games, and instead results in the formation of bad habits. Teaching the player to shoot with his or her head up and looking at the target is highly desirable, but the skill is difficult to learn. 
     Furthermore, none of the above known devices, however, are designed to provide the player with any type of indication or recordkeeping system for successfully placing a shot at the target. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need to overcome shortcomings of the conventional practice devises. For example, there exists a need for a device that are small, light-weight, portable and convenient to handle and store. Further, there also exists a need for a player to look at the target while getting ready to shoot. Furthermore, there also exists a need to provide the player with any type of indication or recordkeeping system for successfully placing a shot at the target. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a game practicing system or apparatus, to include all advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent in the prior art. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to provide a game practicing system or apparatus that may be small, light-weight, portable and convenient to handle and store. 
     An object of the present disclosure is to provide a game practicing system or apparatus that may be interactive in targets showing, and detection of a correct hit. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is to provide various practice modes and levels to improve the skills for successfully placing a shot at the target, provide a feedback of the progress of the practice, and capable of recordkeeping. 
     In light of the above objects, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a game practicing system for practicing a game involving propelling a playing piece into a goal of a goal post, by a player, is provided. The game practicing system includes one or more game practicing apparatus, and a user interactive device wirelessly coupled to the one or more game practicing apparatus. The one or more game practicing apparatus includes a target member having a target face, a connecting lace, a target indicative lighting, and a vibration sensor. The connecting lace may be removably coupled to the target member, and may be adapted to detachably couple the one or more game practicing apparatus to the goal post such that the target face facing the player. Further, the target indicative lighting may be accommodated on the target member along the target face to be illuminated to indicate the player to propel the playing piece on the target face of the target member. The vibration sensor may be accommodated in the target member to detect if the playing piece hits the target face of the target member. The user interactive device is wirelessly coupled to the one or more game practicing apparatus and configured to: illuminate the target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus to indicate the player to propel the playing piece on the target face of the one or more game practicing apparatus; and detect if the playing piece hits the target face of the illuminated target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the target member includes an outer layer of Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, and a protective layer of polycarbonate disposed below the outer layer. The outer and the protective layers may define a cutout formed on the target face. Further, target member further includes a protective electronic case made of polycarbonate to receive the target indicative lighting and the vibration sensor. The protective electronic case may be disposed below the protective layer. target member also includes a PCB board received in protective electronic case and electrically coupled to the target indicative lighting and the vibration sensor. The PCB board may also be coupled to a wireless means, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, to wirelessly couple with the user interactive device. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cutout includes a transparent layer along which the target indicative lighting is accommodated to be visual when illuminated to indicate the player to propel the playing piece on the target face of the target member. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more game practicing apparatus includes through holes to receive the connecting lace removably coupled to the target member and adapted to be tied to the goal post such that the target face facing the player. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the user interactive device includes an application module. The application module includes one or more operating mode to operate the target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more operating mode to operate the target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus includes a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus is illuminated, and once the vibration sensor detects that the playing piece hits the target face of the target member, the target indicative lighting changes the color. In the second mode, the target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus is illuminated at a speed higher than the first mode to enable the player to hit the playing piece at a pace higher than the first mode. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more operating mode to operate the target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus includes a third mode. In the third mode, the target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus is illuminated in more than one color to enable the player to hit the target face of the target member by the playing piece dependent on the colors. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more operating mode to operate the target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus includes a fourth mode. In the fourth mode, the target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus is illuminated in more than one color to enable more than one player to hit the target face of the target member by the playing piece dependent on the colors. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the application module includes a scorekeeping module to record successful hits and unsuccessful hits of the playing piece on the target face of the target member based on the detection of the vibration sensor accommodated in the target member. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the application module includes a feedback module to provide a record of improvement of successful hits and unsuccessful hits of the playing piece hit by the player over a duration of time. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the application module includes a storage module to store one or more data related to one or more payer, and one or more game, one or more practice session of the one or more player. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the application module comprises an online playing module to enable one or more player to remotely play the one or more game practicing apparatus with each other. 
     In light of the above objects, in one another aspect of the present disclosure, a game practicing apparatus is provided. The game practicing apparatus includes a target member having a target face, a connecting lace, a target indicative lighting, and a vibration sensor. The connecting lace may be removably coupled to the target member, and may be adapted to detachably couple the one or more game practicing apparatus to the goal post such that the target face facing the player. Further, the target indicative lighting may be accommodated on the target member along the target face to be illuminated to indicate the player to propel the playing piece on the target face of the target member. The vibration sensor may be accommodated in the target member to detect if the playing piece hits the target face of the target member. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the target member may include an outer layer of Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, and a protective layer of polycarbonate disposed below the outer layer. The outer and the protective layers may include a cutout formed on the target face. The target member further includes a protective electronic case made of polycarbonate to receive the target indicative lighting and the vibration sensor. The protective electronic case may be disposed below the protective layer. The target member may also include a PCB board received in protective electronic case. The PCB board may be electrically coupled to the target indicative lighting and the vibration sensor. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cutout may include a transparent layer along which a target indicative lighting is accommodated to be visual when illuminated to indicate the player to propel the playing piece on the target face of the target member. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game practicing apparatus may include through holes to receive the connecting lace removably coupled to the target member and adapted to be tied to the goal post such that the target face facing the player. 
     This together with the other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the present disclosure, is pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forms a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates an environment depicting a game practicing system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates a game practicing system including one or more game practicing apparatus and a user interactive device, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a front view of a game practicing apparatus, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a side vide of the game practicing apparatus of  FIG.  2   , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawing. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations in implementation. The present disclosure provides game practicing system and apparatus. It should be emphasized, however, that the present disclosure is not limited only to what is disclosed and extends to cover various alternation to valve core assembly. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The terms “having”, “comprising”, “including”, and variations thereof signify the presence of a component. 
     In one aspect of the present disclosure, a game practicing system for practicing a game involving propelling a playing piece into a goal of a goal post, by a player, is provided. The game practicing system includes one or more game practicing apparatus, and a user interactive device wirelessly coupled to the one or more game practicing apparatus. The one or more game practicing apparatus includes a target member having a target face, a connecting lace, a target indicative lighting, and a vibration sensor. The connecting lace may be removably coupled to the target member, and may be adapted to detachably couple the one or more game practicing apparatus to the goal post such that the target face facing the player. Further, the target indicative lighting may be accommodated on the target member along the target face to be illuminated to indicate the player to propel the playing piece on the target face of the target member. The vibration sensor may be accommodated in the target member to detect if the playing piece hits the target face of the target member. The user interactive device is wirelessly coupled to the one or more game practicing apparatus and configured to: illuminate the target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus to indicate the player to propel the playing piece on the target face of the one or more game practicing apparatus; and detect if the playing piece hits the target face of the illuminated target indicative lighting of the one or more game practicing apparatus. 
     In one another aspect of the present disclosure, a game practicing apparatus is provided. The game practicing apparatus includes a target member having a target face, a connecting lace, a target indicative lighting, and a vibration sensor. The connecting lace may be removably coupled to the target member, and may be adapted to detachably couple the one or more game practicing apparatus to the goal post such that the target face facing the player. Further, the target indicative lighting may be accommodated on the target member along the target face to be illuminated to indicate the player to propel the playing piece on the target face of the target member. The vibration sensor may be accommodated in the target member to detect if the playing piece hits the target face of the target member. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B ,  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3    to describe various embodiments of the present disclosure including a game practicing apparatus and a game practicing system incorporating the game practicing apparatus. As shown in  FIG.  1 A , an environment of an ice-hockey practice session is depicted, which includes a game practicing system  1000  having a game practicing apparatus  100  and a user interactive device  200  that is wirelessly coupled to one or more such game practicing apparatus  100  to enable payers ‘P 1 ’ and ‘P 2 ’ for practicing a game involving propelling a playing piece ‘T’ into a goal ‘G’ of a goal post ‘GP’. As depicted in  FIG.  1 A , the environment incorporating the game practicing system  1000  for practicing and improving ice-hockey players shooting skills, and is particularly adapted for use by a single or multiple players in on-ice or off-ice locations, either indoors or outdoors, is only for exemplary purpose, and that such game practicing system  1000  may also be utilized for practicing other sports, including, but not limited to football, baseball, soccer and hockey or other team sports that requires significant skill and hand-eye coordination. 
     As shown in  FIG.  1 B , the game practicing system  1000  includes one or more game practicing apparatus, such as the game practicing apparatus  100 , and the user interactive device  200  wirelessly coupled to the one or more game practicing apparatus  200 . As shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , respectively, illustrating a front view and a side view of the game practicing apparatus  100 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and will be described herein in conjunction with  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the game practicing apparatus  100  includes a target member  110  having a target face  112 , a connecting lace  120 , a target indicative lighting  130 , and a vibration sensor  140 . The connecting lace  120  may be removably coupled to the target member  110 , and may be adapted to detachably couple the game practicing apparatus  100  to the goal post ‘GP’ such that the target face  112  facing the player ‘P 1 ’ or ‘P 2 ’. Further, the target indicative lighting  130  may be accommodated on the target member  110  along the target face  112  to be illuminated to indicate the player ‘P 1 ’ or ‘P 2 ’ to propel the playing piece ‘T’ on the target face  112  of the target member  110 . The vibration sensor  140  may be accommodated in the target member  110  to detect if the playing piece ‘T’ hits the target face  112  of the target member  110 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, as seen in  FIG.  3   , the target member  110  includes an outer layer  114  of Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, and a protective layer  116  of polycarbonate disposed below the outer layer  114 . The outer and the protective layers  114 ,  116  may define a cutout  117  formed on the target face  112 . In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cutout  117  may include a transparent layer  117   a  along which the target indicative lighting  130  is accommodated to be visual when illuminated to indicate the player to propel the playing piece ‘T’ on the target face  112  of the target member  110 . Further, target member  110  includes a protective electronic case  118  made of polycarbonate to receive the target indicative lighting  130  and the vibration sensor  140 . The protective electronic case  118  may be disposed below the protective layer  116 . The target member  110  also includes a PCB board  119  received in protective electronic case  119  and electrically coupled to the target indicative lighting  130  and the vibration sensor  140 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game practicing apparatus  100  includes through holes  121  to receive the connecting lace  120  removably coupled to the target member  110  and adapted to be tied to the goal post ‘PG’ as seen in  FIG.  1   , such that the target face  112  facing the player P 1  or P 2 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the user interactive device  200  may be wirelessly coupled to the one or more game practicing apparatus, such as the game practicing apparatus  100 , as described above. As described, the game practicing apparatus  100  may be used independently or may be incorporated in the system  1000  for being operating using the user interactive device  200 . In one example form, the user interactive device  200  may include, hand-held devices such as mobile phones, tablets; or computing devices, such as laptops, desktops, etcetera. The user interactive device  200  may be wirelessly coupled to the one or more game practicing apparatus  100 . In one embodiment, The PCB board  119  include a wireless means, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, to wirelessly couple the one or more game practicing apparatus  100  with the user interactive device  200 . 
     The user interactive device  200  is configured to: illuminate the target indicative lighting  130  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  100  to indicate the player ‘P 1 ’ or ‘P 2 ’ to propel the playing piece ‘T’ on the target face  112  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  110 ; and detect if the playing piece ‘T’ hits the target face  112  of the illuminated target indicative lighting  130  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  110 , via the vibration sensor  140 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the user interactive device  200  includes an application module  210 . The application module  210  includes one or more operating mode  220  to operate the target indicative lighting  130  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  100 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more operating mode  220  to operate the target indicative lighting  130  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  100  includes a first mode  222  and a second mode  224 . In the first mode  222 , the target indicative lighting  130  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  100  is illuminated, and once the vibration sensor  140  detects that the playing piece ‘T’ hits the target face  112  of the target member  110 , the target indicative lighting  130  changes its color. The first mode  222  may also be called as ‘classic mode’. In the second mode  224 , the target indicative lighting  130  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  110  is illuminated at a speed higher than the first mode  222  to enable the player to hit the playing piece ‘T’ at a pace higher than the first mode  222 . The second mode  224  may also be called as ‘react mode’. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more operating mode  220  to operate the target indicative lighting  130  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  100  includes a third mode  226 . In the third mode  226 , the target indicative lighting  130  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  100  is illuminated in more than one color to enable the player to hit the target face  112  of the target member  110  by the playing piece ‘T’ dependent on the colors. The third mode may also be called as ‘arcade mode’. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the one or more operating mode  220  to operate the target indicative lighting  130  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  100  includes a fourth mode  228 . In the fourth mode  228 , the target indicative lighting  130  of the one or more game practicing apparatus  100  is illuminated in more than one color to enable more than one player to hit the target face  112  of the target member  110  by the playing piece ‘T’ dependent on the colors. For example, in the fourth mode, the players ‘P 1 ’ may hit the target face  112  of the target member  110  having the target indicative lighting  130  of one color, for example green color; and the players ‘P 2 ’ may hit the target face  112  of the target member  110  having the target indicative lighting  130  of one another color, for example blue color. The fourth mode may also be called as ‘multi-player mode’. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the application module  210  may include a scorekeeping module  230  to record successful hits and unsuccessful hits of the playing piece ‘T’ on the target face  112  of the target member  110  based on the detection of the vibration sensor  140  accommodated in the target member  110 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the application module  210  may include a feedback module  240  to provide a record of improvement of successful hits and unsuccessful hits of the playing piece ‘T’ hit by the player over a duration of time, including hourly, monthly, yearly or so forth. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the application module  210  may include a storage module  250  to store one or more data related to one or more payer, and one or more game, one or more practice session of the one or more player. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the application module  210  may include an online playing module  260  to enable one or more player to remotely play the one or more game practicing apparatus  100  with each other. 
     The present disclosure is advantageous in providing a game practicing system or apparatus that may be small, light-weight, portable and convenient to handle and store. Further, the game practicing system or apparatus is interactive in targets showing, and enable detection of a correct hit. Furthermore, the game practicing system or apparatus provides various practice modes and levels to improve the skills for successfully placing a shot at the target, provide a feedback of the progress of the practice, and capable of recordkeeping. Moreover, the game practicing system or apparatus may be capable of telling the user exactly where to aim. The game practicing system or apparatus may also be Capable of detecting a correct hit. The game practicing system or apparatus may also be capable of providing feedback of progress for short and long terms. The game practicing system or apparatus may also be capable of connecting to mobile app to store data. The game practicing system or apparatus may also be capable of competing with other users around the world. The game practicing system or apparatus may also be capable competing with other users from their own home. The game practicing system or apparatus may also be capable of targeting specific skills as a result of different ‘game modes’ built into the product. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.