Abstract:
A targeting aid for use with goals characterized by opposing uprights and a crossbar has a first connector connected to the crossbar. A support extends rearwardly and downwardly relative to the first connector and connects to a second connector behind the goal plane defined by the uprights and the crossbar. From the support a target is provided which is preferably elevationally adjustable and spaced by a member from the support. By spacing the target within the confines of the goal (i.e., rearward of the goal plane) it is not in a position to be inadvertently contacted by a goal keeper.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/632,214 filed Dec. 1, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to an aid for use in practicing or playing soccer, and more specifically, to a targeting aid for use in assisting a soccer player in accurately targeting locations within a soccer goal for placement of the soccer ball. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Description of Related Art 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,264,572 and 4,948,147 show various structures which are designed to prevent a ball from passing into a net at selected portions of the goal. Specifically, there are “targets” which allow the passage of a ball or hockey puck through the net only at selected portions of the net due to the obstructions such as barrier 4, or nets, 11,12. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,488 shows a training device which provides a target in the form of disk 21. Functionally, this design appears to be the exact opposite of the cutout designs of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,948,147 and 6,264,572. This target is located in the plane of the goal (i.e., the “goal plane”) when installed and would be hit as the ball crosses the goal line. 
   Some innovators have recognized a need to provide targets which are moveable relative the net to provide a fixed position for addressing a ball or puck at a net as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,634,640, 6,402,641 and 6,695,724. However, in each of these references the targets are connected to or supported by the uprights define the entrance to the goal. Thus, the targets are in the plane of the entrance of the goal. Therefore, if a goal keeper were standing at the entrance, it is possible that the ability for the goal keeper to prevent balls from breaking the plane of the goal might be impeded by the location of the targets. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,559 is a training device which is not used as a goal. A user can view his or her movements on a mirror as a ball is projected towards the mirror target. The legs 1 in this disclosure form inverted V&#39;s which necessarily angle the front legs so that a traditional perpendicular opening defining a goal plane is not formed perpendicular to the playing field (i.e., there is no goal plane and there is no goal line). These front legs are utilized to tie cords 13 to affect the angle of the mirror 8 relative to a user. Accordingly, the legs of 1 must be angled in this manner for this training device to work as shown and described. 
   Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,725 shows a soccer shooting training target 21 which includes a plurality of flaps 32,40 and 48 which hang over openings 31,39 and 47. When a ball strikes the appropriate flap, the flap deflects to allow the ball to pass through the aperture in the target 21. It is anticipated that the target 21 will hang in a vertical position. The description of the preferred embodiment describes the use of stakes 56 on a windy day driven into the playing field 20 “to hold the soccer shooting training target in a vertical position.” This device is somewhat akin to the training aids shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,264,572 and 4,948,147. 
   A perceived disadvantage of all of the prior art is none of the targets provide an easy ability to retain the target in position while utilizing a goalie (i.e., the goalie cannot pass directly underneath the cross bar along the goal plane and goal line without coming into contact with one of the prior art targets). Accordingly, an improved soccer target system is believed to be necessary. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a soccer targeting aid which preferably does not interfere with the goal plane. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a soccer targeting device which provides a support extending from a cross bar down toward a rear portion of the net with targets connected thereto with the targets located behind the goal plane. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a soccer targeting device with targets resiliently suspended from a support in some embodiments. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a soccer targeting device having targets which are adjustable in elevation in some embodiments. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide in at least some embodiments three-dimensional targets connected to a support. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide a soccer training device which is preferably storable in a compact fashion and be easily installed on an existing soccer goal. 
   Accordingly, a soccer training device of the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a support which is connectible with a connector to a top cross bar between the uprights of a goal. At a first end of the support, the connector may be a hook, a loop or other suitable connector, which is attached to the upper end of the support and the goal structure (i.e., such as the top cross bar). The lower end of the support is preferably connected to a back crossbar that runs along the ground in some goal embodiments or to the ground itself toward a rear portion of the net. In this way, the support is angularly positioned back into the net. From the support, it is envisioned that at least one and preferably a plurality of targets are suspended from elastic members which are connected at attachments. The connectors are preferably adjustably positioned along the support to locate the target at an appropriate elevation. The targets may be three-dimensional targets, two-dimensional targets or even be branded with logos. The targets are preferably completely located within the body of the goal (i.e., behind the goal plane) so that they do not obscure the travel of a goal tender intermediate the cross bar and the uprights along the goal plane which the targets provide a visual reference for which an individual may direct a ball. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a front prospective view of a goal having two embodiments of the presently preferred invention installed thereon; 
       FIG. 2  is a close up of a portion of the first embodiment shown to the left in  FIG. 1  showing an attachment of a target to a support; 
       FIG. 3  shows a close up of a bottom end of the support connected to a stake; 
       FIG. 4  shows an alternative of a first preferred embodiment of a target as shown on the second preferred embodiment shown on the bottom right in  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 5  shows a disassembled version of the target shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  shows a goal  10  illustrated as a soccer goal. Although this soccer goal is a presently preferred structure, it will be understood to one skilled in the art that there are various soccer goal configurations as well as other goal configurations such as hockey goals, lacrosse goals, etc., that provide an opposing uprights  12 , 14  and a cross bar  16  which are located in a goal plane including a goal line  18 . When a ball or puck crosses the goal plane, then a score has occurred in many sporting events including soccer, hockey, lacrosse, etc. The dotted goal line  18  is illustrated connecting the bases  20 , 22  of the uprights  12 , 14 . 
   In the prior art, a number of targets were hung and obscure portions of the goal plane as they are hung from upright to upright or otherwise. As explained above in the description of related art, this is believed to hinder a goal keeper from being able to adequately defend the goal in some circumstances. 
     FIG. 1  shows two embodiments of the present invention. The first embodiment  24  is characterized by a support  26  in the form of a web strapping material. It is also possible that the support  26  could be a rigid support, but by providing a web fabric or rope type material, the length of the support  26  may be easily adjusted as will be described in reference to  FIG. 3  to accommodate a variety of goal sizes. A connector may be utilized to connect the bottom end  28  of the support  26  to a base  32  of the goal  10  if so equipped. 
   Numerous connectors as known in the art may be utilized, in fact, the support  26  may loop about the base  32  and connect back to itself thereby forming the connector  30 . Other alternative connectors  30  as known in the art could also be utilized. 
   A top portion  34  of the support  26  is preferably provided with a hook  36  used as a top connector which is preferably a rigid member which can be grabbed at extension  38  and then placed about the cross bar  16 . For some shorter individuals, such as children, placing the support on in a standard soccer goal (which could be as high as eight feet) the extension  38  is helpful to assist in placing a hook  36  over the cross bar  16 . It is anticipated that the hook  36  will be connected to the cross bar  16  first and then the bottom portion  28  connected to the connector  30  when installing the  28 , 24 . Other configurations for a top connector could include a loop  50  as shown in the alternative embodiment shown to the right in  FIG. 1 . 
   In the first preferred embodiment, the target  40  is elevationally adjustable by sliding attachment  42  relative to support  26 . There are numerous clamps, connectors and other devices known in the art which can be utilized to provide a suitable amount of friction of the attachment  42  relative to the support  26  to retain the target  40  in a desired position while also allowing the attachment  42  to be positioned relative to the support when so desired. Some attachments may lock, others may not. Connected to the attachment  42  is preferably an elastic member  44  which is downwardly extending parallel to the uprights  12 , 14 . This elastic member  44  provides resilience and allows the target  40  to be displaced when struck by an object. 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , on the front of the target  40  is preferably a location for a logo such as for advertisement, trademarks, or other identifying material. This embodiment illustrates a two-dimensional target  40 , however, as will be explained, other targets  40  may also be utilized which are three-dimensional in nature. 
   As can be seen with reference to the second preferred embodiment in  FIG. 1 , the support  26  connects an upper cross bar  16  to the ground within a goal  10 . Spike  52  is illustrated as inserted into the ground  54  behind the goal line  18 . By connecting it in this manner with a substantial linear support  26  or other configuration, targets  56 , 58  may be supported within the confines of the goal  10  such that at least a portion of the targets  56 , 58  if not all of the targets  56 , 58 , are located behind the goal line  18  (i.e., they do not intersect the goal plane as defined above). 
   As can be seen by the dotted lines  60 , 62  extending downwardly from the targets  56 , 58  and the locations  64 , 66  extending perpendicular to the ground from the targets  56 , 58 , the targets  56 , 58  are located within the confines of the goal  10  so that a target placed at the ground at location  64 , 66  would not cross the goal line  18  or come in contact with the goal plane. 
   In the embodiment shown to the right in  FIG. 1 , the support  26  has a loop  50  which may be attached to cross bar  16  by tossing the support  26  partially over the cross bar  16  and then inserting the bottom end  68  through the loop  50  and pulling tight. Of course, a weighted line could also be attached to portions of the support  26  especially at the loop  50  itself so that the loop  50  may be relatively easily disengaged by pulling the weighted line when the opposite end  68  is not attached to the ground as illustrated so that the support  26  may be relatively easily disengaged from the cross bar  16  for storage after use. Other disengagements could also be employed. 
   The bottom end  68  of the support  26  is illustrated in greater detail in  FIG. 3 . A ring  70  is illustrated and connected to the spike  52  but other connection mechanisms may also be utilized.  FIG. 3  illustrates that the support  26  is connected with a link  72  so the support  26  may be tightened relative to the spike  52  or connector  30  as shown in the first preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Thus, by adjusting the length of the support  26 , various height goals  10  can be accommodated with this design. Basically, the free end  74  is pulled away from the bottom end  68  as would be understood by one skilled in the art thereby pulling a portion of the support  26  through the ring  70  to shorten the support  20 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a detailed view of two-dimensional target  58 . Target  56  shown in  FIG. 1  may be a two-dimensional disk or a three-dimensional ball or other three-dimensional shape. A ball shaped target can be formed using the two dimensional target  58  by placing a bag (not shown) on the structure about target  58 . The bag (not shown) could provide a location for a logo as is done on target  40 . It may, or may not, be connected by elastic member  44 . It may be connected by rope member  76  or non-resilient rope member  76  and/or directly attached to sliding attachment  42 . Of course, in some embodiments, sliding attachment  42  need not be moveable relative to support so that the position of the targets  40 , 56 , 58  is fixed and not moveable by a user. This embodiment may be attractive for use with a particular size goal for standardization such as if soccer games are played with this invention. Opposing teams could then play against each other under similar circumstances. 
     FIG. 4  shows a detail of the target  58 . The target  58  is supported by elastic member  44  which connects to strap  78  or other appropriate location relative to the target  58 . The target  58  is preferably constructed in two portions as shown in  FIG. 5 , first portion  80  and second portion  82  which have cut outs  84 , 86 . The cut outs  84 , 86  are oriented towards one another and then the two portions  80 , 82  are pushed towards each other to form the target  58  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The strap  78  can then be attached as shown in  FIG. 4  to prevent inadvertent disassembly of the target  58 . Other targets may be constructed in other ways known in the art. Other three-dimensional targets or two-dimensional target  40  may be utilized having various shapes, sizes and color combinations. 
   Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to the preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.