GOAL POST RETENTION DEVICE

Abstract

A goal post retention device, comprising a body having a first member and a second member, wherein the first and second members are integral with one another, the first member comprising a first semi-open cylinder having a top planar annular surface, the cylinder having a first outer diameter, the second member arranged beneath and concentric with the first member, the second member comprising a semi-open cylinder having a second outer diameter which is larger than the first outer diameter, the semi-open cylinder having a bottom rim and a frustoconical inner surface extending upwardly from the bottom rim, the semi-open cylinder having a top annular surface. In one embodiment, a pike extends downwardly within the second member, extending slightly below the bottom rim.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the game of ice hockey, more particularly to the goal post and net in the game of hockey, and, even more particularly, to a goal post retention device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known, hockey is a contact team sport played on ice, usually in an ice rink, in which two teams of skaters skate with hockey sticks and attempt to shoot a game piece, called a puck, past a goaltender into the opposing team's net to score a goal. A hockey team usually consists of four lines of three forwards, three pairs of defensemen, and two goaltenders. Normally, except in penalty situations, each team has five skaters on the ice in addition to one goaltender during play.

Hockey rinks in most of the world follow the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) specifications and, in North America, most rinks follow the National Hockey League (NHL) specifications of 200 feet by 85 feet with a corner radius of 28 feet. The distance from the end boards to the nearest goal line is 11 feet with blue lines 64 feet from the goal line and 50 feet apart. At each end of the ice, there is a goal consisting of a metal post frame and cloth net in which each team must place the puck to score a goal. According to both IIHF and NHL rules, the entire puck must cross the entire goal line in order to be counted as a goal. Under NHL rules, the opening of the goal is 72 inches wide by 48 inches tall, and the footprint of the goal is 44 inches deep. The frame of the goal post is usually secured to the ice at two locations, where the goal posts attach to pegs that penetrate the ice. These post/peg assemblies are designed to “give way” during collisions of a predetermined magnitude and force to prevent injury during a game. Unfortunately, this breakaway force point is too low for effective goalie training, as described below.

Obviously, the goalie is a very important member of a hockey team, since it is his responsibility to guard his team's net and prevent the opposing team from scoring. This is a specialized position and requires great skill, ability and training to perform properly. Goalies typically train, at all levels, by performing a variety of drills. For example, the website http://www.usahockeygoaltending.com/ lists a number of drills for hockey goalies, categorized as movement drills, fundamental save drills, team drills, game situation drills and off-ice drills. Some of the on-ice drills identified on this website are commonly known as “post lean”, “jam”, “wrap around”, “middle out butterfly slide”, “three puck movement butterfly slide”, “out, over and back”, “out, over, full recovery and back”, “out, over and butterfly slide back”, “out, on ice recovery and back”, “zone work with butterfly slide”, “post to post butterfly slide”, “three puck movement on ice recovery”, “master top of crease”, “lateral movement and read”, “gloves and tracking”, “zone work with chest shot”, “triggered cross body glove saves”, “butterfly and full recovery”, “butterfly and on ice recovery”, “Ayers on-ice recovery”, “middle out 2 puck”, etc. These are only a few representative drills. Many other drills are known and practiced by hockey goalies and taught by their coaches, and these many drills are known by many different names.

During many of the goalie drills described above the goalie comes into forceful contact with the aforementioned goal posts. If the posts are mounted as they would be during a normal game, they break away from the ice often, disrupting the training routine. In view of the large variety of drills and dynamics of play, the forces exerted upon the goal posts during training vary both in magnitude and direction from drill to drill and from player to player. During a live game these forces could cause injury to the goalie, which is why the posts are designed to break away easily, but during training exercises, this easy break away disrupts the training routine.

As early as 1976, the problems associated with fixed and releasable hockey goal nets have been known. U.S. Pat. No. 3,979,120 (Dietrich) recognized that the use of a fixed goal net causes severe injuries when contacted by players at high velocity. As early as 1988, the problems of unsecured hockey goal nets was recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,306 (Shewchuk). In this patent the inventor addresses the problem to be solved as: “[M]any sports which use a goal structure of this type and particularly ice hockey, are high velocity, high energy games in which collisions and impacts are an important part of the game and hence unavoidable. Collisions with other players do not generally cause serious injury since the player is fairly flexible and therefore in the collision both players tend to deform to some extend thus avoiding the sort of injury that occurs in contact with a rigid object. Collisions with the boards surrounding the playing surface can be more damaging since these are rigid, but they have no projections and thus serious injuries are uncommon. However, the goal posts and goal structure are generally rigid and include projections or narrow structures which can cause serious injury. This is overcome in hockey played by younger children by merely placing the rigid goal frame and net loosely on the playing surface so that whenever it is contacted by a player it simply moves away from the original location and no damage is caused. However, this becomes unsatisfactory as the players become older and more skilled since the net can be very easily move[d] away from its location even when not impacted and thus the game has to come to a halt.”

U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,497 (Pena) acknowledges the problem of non-secured hockey goal nets easily moving when contacted by players: “[I]n many sporting events, such as hockey . . . a player may collide with the post and could be seriously injured by such a collision. These collisions are prevented by having breakaway posts which will reduce the injury to the player. In the past to overcome these injuries, the net has been loosely secured on the playing surface by the posts so that whenever it is contacted by a player it simply moves away from the original location and no damage is caused. However, this becomes unsatisfactory as the players become older and more skilled, since the net can be very easily moved away from its location, even when not impacted, and thus, the game has to come to a halt.” To solve this problem Pena discloses a releasable anchor for a post at a predetermined location on a playing surface. The invention includes an upright hollow post, which fits over a frustoconical member fixedly secured to the playing surface via an anchor. The frustoconical shape of the member anchored to the playing surface allows for a quick-release when forceful contact is made with the upright hollow post.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,100 (Cortese) discloses a goal post magnet arrangement having a plurality of spaced goal posts mounting a net coextensively therebetween each include a lower terminal end securable to a respective magnetic mounting arrangement. Cortese further discloses a cylindrical base having an annular groove to receive the lower terminal end of each goal post with an upwardly extending cylindrical boss directed interiorly of each goal post including a conical upper surface to enhance ease of displacement of an associated goal post relative to the boss upon impact with the goal post.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,456 (Meggs) discloses a cylindrical canister to be used within the bottom of a hockey goal post to retain the post in place against a keeper. The invention in this patent utilizes a magnetic arrangement within the canister which draws the post downwardly against the keeper. The keeper has a frustoconical central portion which requires the post to ride up and over it in order to overcome the magnetic force between the canister and the keeper. In the patent, the inventor specifically addresses the use of “stub posts sticking upwardly out of the ice at the positions of the forward side goal posts, and the goal posts are hollow with open bottom ends, so that they can fit over the stub posts. When the ice is to be used for activities other than hockey games, the goal is removed and the stub posts are removed from the ice.”

United States Patent Application Publication No. 20122/0289365 (Boskus) discloses a goal post retention system comprising a playing surface, a ferromagnetic goal post and a magnet disposed under the playing surface attracting the ferromagnetic goal post thereby preventing the ferromagnetic goal post from becoming dislodged without application of sufficient force. In this patent, the inventor specifically addresses the use of a “break away” goal post retention system that employs “some form of plug or mounting post which rigidly affixed to the playing surface and projects some distance below the ice. The goal post (normally hollow) is then installed over the plug or mounting post . . . ”

While these prior patented and patent pending inventions purport to solve some problems associated with fixing hockey goal posts to the ice, they don't solve the problem of affixing the goal posts to the ice in such a way that increases the force necessary to break away from the ice for training and drills. What is needed, then, is a goal post retention device that provides a greater attachment force to the ice for goalie training purposes than those devices used during game conditions, and that is resistant to break away regardless of the angle of the force applied thereto.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly comprises a goal post retention device, comprising a body having a first section and a second section, wherein the first and second sections are integral with one another, the first section comprising a first closed cylinder having a top planar surface, the cylinder having a first outer diameter, the second section arranged beneath and concentric with the first section, the second section comprising a semi-open cylinder having a second outer diameter which is larger than the first outer diameter, the semi-open cylinder having a bottom rim and a frustoconical inner surface extending upwardly from the bottom rim, the semi-open cylinder having a top annular surface.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a goal post retention device for a hockey goal that secures the goal posts to the ice more securely than similar devices employed during game conditions, and yet releasably secures the goal to the ice.

Another object of the invention is to provide a goal post retention device for a hockey goal that secures the goal posts to the ice and is resistant to forces applied to the goal post from any direction during training and yet maintains the goal securely to the ice.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily present to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is depicted in the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a typical goal assembly releasably secured to the ice using the present invention, and also showing a goalie in position in front of the goal assembly;

FIG. 1B is a top view of the goal assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a view similar to that of FIG. 1A where the goalie is performing a drill that causes his left leg pad to impart a force to the left goal post;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the left goal post and left leg pad shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a front top perspective view of the goal post retention device of the present invention, shown affixed to the ice;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the goal post retention device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the goal post retention device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, taken generally along line 5A-5A in FIG. 4;

FIG. 5B is a view similar to that of FIG. 5A, except showing side post 110 in place atop goal post retention device 300;

FIG. 6A is a front bottom perspective view of the goal post retention device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6B is yet another front top perspective view of the goal post retention device, similar to the view of FIG. 3, except shown without the ice;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the goal post retention device of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the goal post retention device of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the goal post retention device of the present invention; and,

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front view of the goal post retention device of the present invention, taken generally along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Adverting now to the drawings, FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a typical goal assembly 100 releasably secured to the ice (not shown) using the present invention, and also showing a goalie 200 in position in front of the goal assembly. Goalie 200 is seen to be wearing typical goalie equipment, including helmet 205, blocker pad 210, glove 240, and leg pad 230, and is holding hockey stick 220. The goalie is guarding goal assembly 100, which broadly comprises goal post 120, including side post 110, net 130 affixed to the goal post and net skirting 140. As is well known, the goalie's job is to protect the goal and prevent the opposing team from shooting a puck into the net. This highly specialized position requires extensive training. As described previously, goalies typically train by practicing a wide variety of drills. But hockey is a contact sport, especially during live games. The forces exerted by the goalie and other players alike, in proximity to the goal, could cause considerable injury should the goal post be fixedly secured to the ice. Thus, goal post assemblies are releasably secured to the ice using a variety of pegs. These pegs are specially designed to withstand the normal forces associated with play, but “break away” the goal post when excessive force is exerted to prevent injury. Unfortunately, the forces exerted by the goalie during training exercises often exceeds those forces exerted during normal play, causing the goal assembly to become dislodged from the ice and disrupting the training exercises.

FIG. 1B is a top view of the goal post assembly and goalie shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the goalie during a training exercise, where he is exerting both a lateral force FL and a rearward force FR on left side post 110. The object of the present invention is to secure the goal post and goal assembly to the ice during these routine drills. The goalie has pivoted a full 90 degrees from his starting position in FIG. 2A and is exerting a force on side post 110 with his left leg pad 230, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2B. Of course, the goalie also exerts similar forces on the right goal post as well during training.

A preferred embodiment of the goal post retention device of the present invention is illustrated in front top perspective view in FIG. 3. In this view, device 300 is shown secured to ice 303. The device is shown to comprise two members which, in a preferred embodiment, are integral with one another. First member 302 mounts in the ice. Emanating upwardly from first member 302 is second member 301. Second member 301 includes outer cylindrical surface 304, inner cylindrical surface 305, top annular surface 314, and aperture 306. The inner diameter of first member 301 is sized to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of side post 110, in order to hold the post within the counter-bore 306 of the member.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 3, taken generally along line 5A-5A in FIG. 4. This view shows counter-bore 306 in member 301 as described above. Also shown is inner frustoconical surface 309 at the bottom of member 301, forming the counter-bore. Member 301 is shown to be generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical surface 304 and an inner cylindrical surface 305. Second member 302, which, in a preferred embodiment, is integral with first member 301, is seen to include upper annular surface 310, lower annular surface 316, rim section 307 which includes outer cylindrical surface 311 and inner frustoconical surface 312. Center spike 308 is seen to be extending downwardly from lower annular surface 316. In a preferred embodiment, the spike is concentric with respect to both the first and second members. Also, in a preferred embodiment, first member 301 is hollow, having a counter-bore therein, but it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that member 301 could be a solid cylinder as well. Also in a preferred embodiment, the surface of ice 303 is located about ⅛″ above top surface 310 of second member 302. This may be accomplished by squirting water where the side of the device meets the surface of the ice to cause ice to build up about the top of the second member. FIG. 5B is a view similar to that of FIG. 5A, except showing side post 110 in place atop goal post retention device 300. In this view it is seen that the inner diameter of side post 110 is larger than the outer diameter of first member 301, such that the post telescopingly engages the member.

FIG. 6A illustrates the retention device of the present invention in front lower perspective view. This view clearly shows concentric spike 308 extending downwardly from annular surface 316 of second member 302, and also show frustoconical inner surface 312 of rim 307. FIG. 6B is a view similar to that of FIG. 6A, except showing the device in front upper view. This view clearly shows aperture 306 of first member 301, arranged to hold side post 110 of the goal post.

FIG. 7 is a front view of device 300. This view is intended to show that point 317 of spike 308 extends a distance “d” below rim 315. In a preferred embodiment this distance is approximately 0.040″ but other distances would also be functional, although the inventor finds that the device (peg) works best if the spike extends below the lower rim. FIG. 8 is a top view of device 300 and FIG. 9 is a bottom view of device 300.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front view of device 300, taken generally along line 10-10 in FIG. 9. Although the claims of the present patent are not intended to be limited to a device having specific dimensions, approximate representative dimensions of a preferred embodiment of the device are provided here to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. These dimensions are representative only and may be varied by those having ordinary skill in the art. It is preferred however, and claimed, that d₁<d₂. In a preferred embodiment d₁ is approximately 38 mm, d₂ is approximately 64 mm, d₃ is approximately 47 mm, d₅ is approximately 14 mm, and d₄ is approximately 61 mm and distance d is approximately 0.040″ as described previously. Also, in a preferred embodiment, angle α is approximately 18 degrees, angle β is approximately 30 degrees, and angle Δ is approximately 108 degrees. Again, these specific angles are representative only, and other angles are possible without adversely affecting function. It is important, however that surfaces 312 and 313 slope away from each other. For example, as best seen in FIG. 5A, surface 312 slopes downwardly and outwardly, whereas surface 313 slopes downwardly and inwardly.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 100 goal assembly
• 110 side post
• 120 goal post
• 130 net
• 140 net skirting
• 200 goalie
• 205 helmet
• 210 blocker pad
• 220 hockey stick
• 230 leg pad
• 240 glove
• 300 goal post retention device
• 301 first member
• 302 second member
• 303 ice
• 304 outer cylindrical surface
• 305 inner cylindrical surface
• 306 counter-bore
• 307 rim section of second member
• 308 center spike
• 309 inner frustoconical surface of first member
• 310 top annular surface of second member
• 311 outer cylindrical surface of second member
• 312 frustoconical inner surface of rim
• 313 center spike frustoconical surface
• 314 top annular surface
• 315 bottom rim
• 316 bottom annular surface of second member
• 317 point of spike

Claims

1. A goal post retention device, comprising: a body having a first member and a second member, wherein said first and second members are integral with one another;said first member comprising a first semi-open cylinder having a top planar annular surface, said cylinder having a first outer diameter, said first member having a counter-bore that opens upwardly;said second member arranged beneath and concentric with said first member, said second member comprising a semi-open cylinder having a second outer diameter which is larger than said first outer diameter of said first member, said semi-open cylinder having a bottom rim and a frustoconical inner surface extending upwardly from said bottom rim, said semi-open cylinder having a top planar annular surface, said second member having a counter-bore that opens downwardly.

2. The goal post retention device recited in claim 1, wherein said semi-open cylinder comprises an inner upper annular surface.

3. The goal post retention device recited in claim 2, wherein said semi-open cylinder further comprises a conically shaped spike extending downwardly to a point from said inner upper annular surface.

4. The goal post retention device recited in claim 3, wherein said conically shaped pike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and, said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper annular surface, wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance.

5. The goal post retention device recited in claim 3, wherein said conically shaped pike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper circular surface, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance.

6. A goal post retention device, comprising: a body comprising a semi-open cylinder having a bottom rim and a frustoconical inner surface extending upwardly from said bottom rim, said semi-open cylinder having a top annular surface.

7. The goal post retention device recited in claim 6, wherein said semi-open cylinder comprises an inner upper annular surface.

8. The goal post retention device recited in claim 7, wherein said semi-open cylinder further comprises a conically shaped spike extending downwardly to a point from said inner upper annular surface.

9. The goal post retention device recited in claim 8, wherein said conically shaped spike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper annular surface, wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance.

10. The goal post retention device recited in claim 8, wherein said conically shaped spike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper annular surface, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance.

11. A goal post retention device, comprising: a body having a first member and a second member, wherein said first and second members are integral with one another;said first member comprising a cylinder having a top planar surface, said cylinder having a first outer diameter;said second member arranged beneath and concentric with said first member, said second member comprising a semi-open cylinder having a second outer diameter which is larger than said first outer diameter of said first member, said semi-open cylinder having a bottom rim and a frustoconical inner surface extending upwardly from said bottom rim, said semi-open cylinder having a top planar annular surface, said second member having a counter-bore that opens downwardly.

12. The goal post retention device recited in claim 11, wherein said semi-open cylinder of said second member comprises an inner upper annular surface.

13. The goal post retention device recited in claim 12, wherein said semi-open cylinder of said second member further comprises a conically shaped spike extending downwardly to a point from said inner upper annular surface.

14. The goal post retention device recited in claim 13, wherein said conically shaped pike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and, said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper annular surface, wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance.

15. The goal post retention device recited in claim 13, wherein said conically shaped pike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper circular surface, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance.