Abstract:
This is a training device for soccer players that uses a plurality of connectors that have a main body and three hollow engagement ports that are angled away from the main body to provide support for the frame. The ends of the frame members fit into the engagement ports and thus engage the frame and support it for use. There is a flexible outer covering that fits over the frame members and supports the ring members that are placed within an opening in the outer covering. There can be one or two rings as desired. The outer covering does not cover the bottom of the frame, and this area can also be used as a target area.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Many offerings exist by which a soccer players can practice their skills. The devices offered, however, do not solve all problems associated with portability. When the existing goals are used, then the player cannot easily alter the layout should the need arise. If more than one player is practicing, occasionally the goals cannot accommodate the quantity of incoming balls. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a training device for soccer players for use in connection with training soccer players the basics of ball handling. The training device for soccer players has particular utility in connection with teaching close distance aiming and passing skills, as well as long distance aiming and passing skills to children and others desirous of honing their skills. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   The use of training devices for soccer players is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,729 to Coltrane et al. discloses a goal shot training system. However, the Coltrane &#39;729 patent does not afford the user portability, and has further drawbacks of requiring the use of a certain type of goal system, which might not be the standard in the users field. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,669 to Sinsheimer et al. discloses a game and training device for teaching soccer skills that uses a series of hoops and a final goal. However, the Sinsheimer &#39;669 patent does not have the structure of the present invention, and additionally does not allow for the ball to pass through the final goal member. 
   While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a training device for soccer players that provides for the advantages of the present invention; therefore, a need exists for an improved training device for soccer players, particularly one that includes portability, ease of set-up and use, and the ability to be used by one player or multiple players. 
   In this respect, the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of training devices for soccer players now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved training device for soccer players, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved training device for soccer players and method which has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a training device for soccer players which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a plurality of connection means having a main body and three hollow engagement ports. The engagement ports angle away from the main body. There is a frame that is made from a pair of front and rear frame members, a pair of side frame members, and a pair of upper frame members. The frame members all have opposite ends, and the ends are sized to fit into the hollow portion of the engagement ports, much as tent poles fit into the tent frame connectors. The frame is covered by a flexible outer covering that supports a ring member placed within an opening formed through or within the flexible outer covering. The ring is the aiming area for the soccer player who is training and using the training device. 
   The outer covering can be made from mesh or fabric, as desired by the manufacturer and end user. The use of these types of covering materials would aide in the use of the training device, as they are lightweight enough to be easily carried and flexible enough to fold and store while the device is in transit or storage. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
   The invention may also include one or two aiming rings as desired. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. The ring or rings would be connected to the fabric to ensure stability and strength. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved training device for soccer players that has all of the advantages of the prior art training devices for soccer players and none of the disadvantages. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved training device for soccer players that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
   An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved training device for soccer players that has a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such training device for soccer players economically available to the buying public. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new training device for soccer players that provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
   Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a training device for soccer players for easy portability and set up. This allows the user to train with the device as needed or desired, and not be constrained by the use of existing goals or facilities. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a training device for soccer players for compact and efficient storage. This makes it possible to store the device when not in use. 
   Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the training device for soccer players so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
   Numerous objects, features and advantages of the training device for soccer players will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the training device for soccer players when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the training device for soccer players in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the training device for soccer players. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   These together with additional objects of the training device for soccer players, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the training device for soccer players, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of the preferred embodiment of the training device for soccer players constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a left perspective view of the training device for soccer players. 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of the training device for soccer players. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the unfolded frame of the training device for soccer players, with the outer covering removed for clarity, showing the rotation of the frame. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the folded frame of the training device for soccer players, with the outer covering removed for clarity, showing the rotation of the frame. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 REFERENCE NUMERALS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 connection means 
                 12 
               
               
                   
                 main body 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 engagement ports 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                 front and rear frame members 
                 18, 20 
               
               
                   
                 opposite ends 
                 22, 24 
               
               
                   
                 side frame members 
                 26, 28 
               
               
                   
                 opposite ends 
                 30, 32 
               
               
                   
                 upper frame members 
                 34, 36 
               
               
                   
                 opposite ends 
                 38, 40 
               
               
                   
                 flexible outer covering 
                 42 
               
               
                   
                 ring member 
                 44 
               
               
                   
                 opening 
                 46 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
   

   The same reference numbers refer to the same parts throughout the various figures. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the training device for soccer players of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . 
   In  FIG. 1 , a new and improved training device for soccer players  10  of the present invention for improving skills is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the training device for soccer players  10  has a plurality of connection means  12  having a main body  14  and three hollow engagement ports  16 . The connection means  12  are used at the corners to engage and support the frame members  18 ,  20 ,  26 ,  28 ,  34  and  36 . The training device for soccer players  10  is shown with the frame assembled and the flexible outer covering  42  placed over the frame. The frame is formed from a pair of front and rear frame members  18  and  20 , a pair of side frame members  26  and  28 , and a pair of upper frame members  34  and  36 . The front and rear frame members  18  and  20  have opposite ends  22  and  24 , and the ends  22  and  24  are sized for reception in the engagement ports  16 . The side frame members  26  and  28  have opposite ends  30  and  32 , and the ends  30  and  32  are sized for reception in the engagement ports  16 . The upper frame members  34  and  36  have opposite ends  38  and  40 , and the ends  38  and  40  are sized for reception in the engagement ports  16 . The ring members  44  placed within an opening  46  in the flexible outer covering  42  can be seen placed in both the side and the top of the flexible outer covering  42 . The flexible outer covering  42  is shown as mesh in the Figures, but it is anticipated that any suitable material could be used as desired. 
     FIG. 2  is a left perspective view and shows the present invention as in use, with a soccer ball entering along the dashed line into the body of the training device for soccer players  10  through the side ring member  44 . The placement of the ring members  44  in the opening  46  formed in the flexible outer covering  42  is shown more clearly. The plurality of connection means  12  having a main body  14  and three hollow engagement ports  16  are shown with the respective ends  22 ,  24 ,  30 ,  32 ,  38  and  40  of the frame members  18 ,  20 ,  26 ,  28 ,  34  and  36  inserted in the engagement ports  16 . The training device for soccer players  10  is shown with the frame assembled and the flexible outer covering  42  placed over the frame. The frame is formed from a pair of front and rear frame members  18  and  20 , a pair of side frame members  26  and  28 , and a pair of upper frame members  34  and  36 . The front and rear frame members  18  and  20  have opposite ends  22  and  24 , and the ends  22  and  24  are sized for reception in the engagement ports  16 . The side frame members  26  and  28  have opposite ends  30  and  32 , and the ends  30  and  32  are sized for reception in the engagement ports  16 . 
     FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view showing the present invention as in use, with a soccer ball entering along the dashed line into the body of the training device for soccer players  10 . In this Figure, an alternate method for using the training device is shown. The frame is placed with one of the upper frame members,  34  or  36 , against the ground. The ball thus enters through what would be previously considered the bottom. This placement of the training device would be most useful for multiple players or long distance practice. The connection means  12 , main body  14  and three hollow engagement ports  16  are shown in the corners and with the respective ends  22 ,  24 ,  30 ,  32 ,  38  and  40  of the frame members  18 ,  20 ,  26 ,  28 ,  34  and  36  inserted in the engagement ports  16 . The flexible outer covering  42  is shown placed over the frame members  18 ,  20 ,  26 ,  28 ,  34  and  36  and supports ring members  44 . The opening  46  through the flexible outer covering  42  is of a size to accommodate the entrance of a soccer ball. 
     FIG. 4  is a side view of the unfolded frame. The rotation of the frame members  18 ,  20 ,  26 ,  28 ,  34  and  36  within the hollow engagement ports  16  and the selective removal of the ends  22 ,  24 ,  30 ,  32 ,  38  and  40  from the hollow engagement ports  16  can be seen. To disassemble, the ring members  44  is lifted from the upper frame member  34  and the upper frame member  34  is then lifted from the engagement port  16 . The upper frame member  34  is then placed inside the frame. The ring members  44  swivels down against the upper frame member  36 . 
     FIG. 5  is a side view of the folded frame showing the frame disassembled as for transport or storage. The rotation of the frame members  18 ,  20 ,  26 ,  28 ,  34  and  36  within the hollow engagement ports  16  and the selective removal of the ends  22 ,  24 ,  30 ,  32 ,  38  and  40  from the hollow engagement ports  16  can be seen. The upper frame member  36  is removed from the hollow engagement ports  16 , and the upper frame member  36  and ring members  44  are then placed inside the frame. 
   The inventor designed the present invention to aide in his coaching of soccer skills, as he had not found a product available that met all his needs. The device would be used to help players practice aimed shots both at the goal and in passing. The present invention can be used upright on the rectangular base and the player shoots for the circular ring opening, or tipped backwards with the frame positioned vertically, and the player shoots for the larger opening this provides. In the first use the player is closer to the goal and is working on finer control and aiming skills, and in the second use the player is likely farther away and is working on distance aiming skills. 
   In use, it can now be understood that the training device for soccer players provides a useful item for developing and practicing soccer aiming and passing skills. The frame can be quickly assembled, and conversely disassembled for storage. The connection means are a lightweight convenient method for assembling the frame and holding the ends so that the outer covering can be attached. The ring openings are used as the goal for aiming the ball into, and the ball then goes out the back for retrieval and further practice. The portability afforded by the present invention increases the opportunities available to a soccer player to practice. Additionally, the convenience of being able to quickly assemble, and disassemble and store the item adds to its attraction. 
   While a preferred embodiment of the training device for soccer players has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable sturdy material such as metal or plastic may be used for the connection means. Also, the outer covering may also be made of heavy-duty plastic, cloth, or similar material. And although use for increasing soccer players skills have been described, it should be appreciated that the training device for soccer players herein described is also suitable for training skills in any game or sport where accuracy with propelling a ball using the foot is valued. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.