BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set 8 forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed 9 description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the soccer training device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, showing the device in use.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the soccer training device, with the target area removed, and optional frame stabilizers in use.
FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the elbow connector of the soccer training device disconnected from the frame, and showing the use of mating connectors on the elbow and frame ends.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the soccer training device, showing the target area disconnected from the frame, the soccer ball, and sandbags used as stabilizers.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the soccer training device, taken essentially along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing the attachment of the target area to the frame.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the storage bag of the soccer training device.
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 soccer training device of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
In FIG. 1, a new and improved soccer training device 10 of the present invention for goal training for soccer players is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the soccer training device 10 has a plurality of elbow connectors 12 that connect the frame unit 20. The frame unit 20 is a top frame member 22 having opposite ends 24 and 26, a pair of upper frame members 28a and 28b having opposite ends 30 and 32, a pair of lower frame members 34a and 34b having opposite ends 36 and 38, and a bottom frame member 40 having opposite ends 42 and 44. The opposite ends 16 and 18 of the elbow connectors 12 attach to the opposite ends 24, 26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 42, and 44 of the members of the frame unit 20. The ends of the elbow connectors 16 can have releasable connectors 52 that mate with corresponding connectors 54 on the opposite ends 24, 26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 42, and 44 of the members of the frame unit 20. The target area 46 is attached to the frame unit 20 through connection means 48, and the target area 46 can be the hook fabric of hook and loop fabric. The connection means 48 can be a pair of fabric strips on the target area 46, and one of the fabric strips has hook fabric and the other strip has the mating loop fabric. Alternatively, the connector means 48 can be fabric strips having male and female clasps. The soccer ball 50 can have an outer covering of the loop fabric of hook and loop fabric. The target area 46 can be demarcated into aiming areas 56, and the aiming areas 56 can have numeric indicia 58, for example to indicate point value of striking that area. The aiming areas 56 can be of equal sizes, or can be larger or smaller than each other, as desired, to increase the relative difficulty of the point accrual.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the soccer training device, with the target area 46 removed, and optional frame stabilizers in use. The elbow connectors 12 have a main body 14, and opposite ends 16 and 18, that connect to the opposite ends 24, 26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 42, and 44 of the frame unit 20. The frame unit 20 is a top frame member 22, having opposite ends 24 and 26, a pair of upper frame members 28a and 28b having opposite ends 30 and 32, a pair of lower frame members 34a and 34b having opposite ends 36 and 38, and a bottom frame member 40 having opposite ends 42 and 44.
FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the elbow connector 12 of the soccer training device disconnected from one of the frame members of the frame unit 20. The elbow connectors 12, main body 14 and opposite ends 16 and 18 are shown, and one of the opposite ends 24, 26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 42, and 44 of the members of the frame unit 20 is shown. The ends of the elbow connectors 16 can have releasable connectors 52 that mate with corresponding connectors 54 on the opposite ends 24, 26, 30, 32, 36, 38, 42, and 44 of the frame unit 20.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the soccer training device, showing the target area 46 disconnected from the frame unit 20, the soccer ball 50, and sandbags used as stabillizers. The soccer ball 50 can have an outer covering of the loop fabric from hook and loop type fabric. The connection means 48 can be a pair of fabric strips on the target area 46, and one of the fabric strips has hook fabric and the other strip has the mating loop fabric. Alternatively, the connection means 48 can be fabric strips having male and female clasps. The soccer ball can have an outer covering of the loop fabric of hook and loop fabric. The target area 46 can be the hook fabric of hook and loop fabric. The target area 46 can be demarcated into aiming areas 56, and the aiming areas 56 can have numeric indicia 58, to indicate point value for example. The aiming areas 56 can be of equal sizes, or can be larger or smaller than each other to increase the relative difficulty of the point accrual.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the soccer training device, taken essentially along the lines 5-5 of FIG. 1, showing the attachment of the target area 46 to the frame unit 20. The connection means 48 can be a pair of fabric strips on the target area 46, and one of the fabric strips has hook fabric and the other strip has the mating loop fabric. Alternatively, the connection means 48 can be fabric strips having male and female clasps. The target area 46 can be the hook fabric and the soccer ball 50 can have an outer covering of the loop fabric of hook and loop fabric. The soccer ball 50 is shown adhered to the target area 46 through the interlocking mechanism inherent in the interaction between hook and loop fabric.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the storage bag of the soccer training device, and is used to store the frame unit 20, the target area 40 and the soccer ball 50 when not in use.
The soccer training device has a plurality of elbow connectors that connect the frame unit together. The frame unit is a top frame member, a pair of upper frame members, a pair of lower frame members, and a bottom frame member. The opposite ends of the elbow connectors attach to the opposite ends of the members of the frame unit. The ends of the elbow connectors can have releasable connectors that mate with corresponding connectors on the opposite ends of the members of the frame unit. The target area is attached to the frame unit through connection means. The connection means can be a pair of fabric strips on the target area, and the fabric strips have hook and loop or the strips can have male and female clasps. The soccer ball can have an outer covering of the loop fabric of hook and loop fabric and the target area can be the hook fabric of hook and loop fabric. The target area can be demarcated into equally sized aiming areas, and the aiming areas can have numeric indicia, for example to indicate point value of striking that area.
In one way to play using the soccer training device to practice aiming and scoring skills, the players would stand at a predetermined distance from the goal frame and take turns kicking the soccer ball at the target area. When the soccer ball strikes the target area, the loop fabric covering the ball would adhere to the hook fabric covering the target area. The player would then be awarded the number of points displayed in the section in which the ball struck. The player who scores the most points within a predetermined number of kicks, or who reaches a predetermined score in the fewest kicks, would be declared the winner.
In use, it can now be understood that the soccer training device is useful for practicing soccer skills through the demarcation of the target area into discrete target zones. The soccer training device also increases the players enjoyment of practice through the addition of the challenge of scoring higher point values for the harder to hit targets, as indicated by higher point values. The soccer training device is also lightweight and easily assembled, thus increasing the opportunities for practice.
While a preferred embodiment of the soccer training device 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, the tubes used for the frame may be made of metal, heavy-duty plastic, or similar material. Furthermore, a wide variety of games may be played instead of the scoring games described.
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.
Patent Application
20080032826
