Patent Application
20180099196
The present disclosure relates generally to training devices or aids for developing sporting skills. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a goal training devices suitable for developing skills in sports where points are awarded when balls, pucks, or other objects pass into a goal of an opposing team.
In many sports involving a goal, hoop, net, or the like, a team is awarded points by passing a ball, puck, or other object into a goal of an opposing team. Outside of actual game play, individuals or players typically hone important skills by shooting the ball, puck, or other object into an empty goal or net. However, practicing or shooting into an empty goal or net does not adequately simulate live game situations where an opposing team attempts to block or otherwise prevent a successful shot. Moreover, a player may develop bad habits or become complacent without the benefit of another player attempting to block a shot. Although practicing in simulated live game situations (e.g., scrimmages) improves overall player development, coordinating amongst other players to and/or finding available time at proper facility (e.g., field, rink, etc.) often proves difficult. Instead, many players practice by themselves with the empty net, without the benefit of dynamic live game play.
The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Overview
According to one or more embodiments of the disclosure, a training apparatus (e.g., a goal training aid, etc.) includes a panel that forms an obstruction proximate an entrance plane of a goal. Notably, the panel includes one or more apertures that permit an object passage through the entrance plane of the goal. In addition, the training apparatus also includes a rotary assembly coupled to the panel. The rotary assembly has an axis of rotation and at least one arm that rotates about the axis of rotation. Moreover, the training apparatus also has one or more doors (e.g., “blockers”) in operable communication with the arm (or arms) of the rotary assembly, where each door is typically located proximate a respective aperture. The doors are moveable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the doors prevent passage of the object through the entrance plane of the goal (e.g., blocking the object) and in the open position, the doors permit passage of the object through respective apertures, and thus through the entrance plane of the goal (e.g., an open target area/aperture).
Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.
As discussed, many sports involve a goal (or hoop, net, etc.) and have a score system that awards points when an object (e.g., a puck, ball, etc.) pass through an opening of the goal. Practicing for such sports without a defender and/or practicing with unobstructed access to the goal may help a player develop some basic skills; however, it does not accurately simulate the dynamic nature of live game situations. Accordingly, the subject embodiments disclosed herein describe a training or practice aid that dynamically blocks (and unblocks) access to the entrance of a goal, hoop, net, and the like. As discussed in greater detail herein, the training or practice aid is described and illustrated in particular context (e.g., hockey), but it is appreciated the training or practice aid may be readily adapted for any type of sport or contest involving a goal (e.g., soccer goal, basketball goal/hoop, water polo goal, field hockey goal, lacrosse goal, and the like).
For example, referring to the figures,
Goal training apparatus 100 includes a front panel 110 that forms a barrier or obstruction proximate the goal opening or proximate the entrance plane of the goal. As shown, front panel 110 is positioned proximate the entrance plane of the goal using one or more fasteners 120 located about a perimeter of front panel 110. Fasteners 120 may include be straps (as shown) that releasably secure, couple, and/or mount front panel 110 to goal frame 105. Operatively, fasteners 120 loop around goal frame 105 and secure to portions of front panel 110 using, for example, a screw, bolt, pin, thread, cam-lock, or the like.
Goal training apparatus 100 also includes one or more doors or blockers, which are generally labeled with a reference number 115, including doors 115a, 115b, 115c, 115d, and 115e. Here, doors 115 are coupled to a backside of front panel 110, with each door 115 located proximate a respective aperture defined by front panel 110, as discussed below.
Referring to
As shown, goal training apparatus 100 also includes a rotary assembly 405 coupled to a backside of front panel 110. Rotary assembly 405 includes a motor, which turns an arm 406 about a rotary assembly axis of rotation. Preferably, rotary assembly 405 is coupled to a central portion of front panel 110 so that arm 406 contacts at least a portion of each door 115 during its rotation to cause each door 115 to swing or rotate into the open position, thus unblocking the respective aperture. Alternatively, rotary assembly 405 may include multiple arms as well as various shapes for its arms. Notably, in embodiments with multiple arms, each arm may be configured to rotate at a different speed (e.g., gear ratios, etc.).
In operation, rotary assembly 405 simulates the dynamic nature of live game situations and can causes each door 115 to open at different times. For example, rotary assembly 405 may rotate its arm 406 on a random schedule, a pre-programmed schedule, and/or a custom schedule. Further, as discussed, rotary assembly 405 can include a number of arms that cause multiple doors 115 to open at the same time.
In addition,
Similar to the structural support provided by fastener 120a, 120e, front panel 110 also includes a lattice or an interlace pattern for apertures 215b, 215d. Here, the lattice or interlace pattern forms a strip that divides aperture 215b, 215d into two different sections. This lattice or interlace pattern form a front-facing structure (e.g., in front of doors 115b, 115d relative to the entrance plane of the goal) that absorbs energy from an object strike. Notably, other embodiments may employ a combination of fasteners 120a, 120e in conjunction with one or more lattices or interlace patterns 215b, 215d.
In operation, rotary assembly 405 rotates arm 406 about its axis of rotation, which causes arm 406 to contact a portion of each door 115. In this fashion, arm 406 is in operable communication with each door 115. As each door 115 is contacted by arm 406, the door rotates about its axis of rotation and generally moves away from its respective aperture which allows an object unobstructed (or unhindered) access through front panel 110 and through the entrance plane. In this fashion, rotary assembly 405 “opens” each door 115.
Notably, in preferred embodiments, each door 115 includes a certain weight ratio and/or a counterbalance mass that returns doors to one or either its open position or closed position. For example, while the above operations describe each door 115 opening upon contact by arm 406, each door 115 may return to the closed position after contact due to its weight ratio and/or counter balance mass. Alternatively (and/or in addition) one or more springs may be disposed in operable communication with one or more doors 115 to return the respective door to its closed position or an open position. Moreover, in some embodiments, each door 115 may default or rest in an open position and move into a closed position due to contact by arm 406 or vice versa.
In addition, back panel 710 generally protects and covers the underlying mechanics (e.g., doors 115, arm 406, and the like) of goal training apparatus 700 and may also provide additional structural support. For example, back panel 710 includes a substantially similar (and/or the same) lattice or an interlace pattern for apertures 715b, 715d as for corresponding apertures 215b, 215d (defined by front panel 110). Here, the lattice or interlace pattern for apertures 715b, 715d is defined by back panel 710 and includes a strip that divides apertures 715b, 715d into two different sections. Further, the lattice or interlace pattern also provides a rear support (e.g., buttress) that prevents doors 115b, 115d, respectively, from flexing or bending upon object strike. In this fashion, the lattice or interlace pattern defined by back panel 710 operates similar to fastener 120a, 120e and absorbs the energy from and object striking door 115a, 115e and further prevent door flexion. Optionally, additional fasteners may be employed with front panel 110 and/or back panel 710 in conjunction with the respective lattice/interlace patterns.
Further, as shown, rotary assembly 405 is coupled to back panel 710, with a portion (shown in dash lines) extending through back panel 710 toward front panel 110 such that arm 406 is disposed between back panel 710 and front panel 110. While the rotary assembly 405 may be coupled to front panel (as described above), here, rotary assembly 405 is coupled to back panel 710. Alternatively, rotary assembly may couple to portions of both back panel 710 and front panel 110.
Goal training apparatus 900 also provides a rotary assembly 905 that includes two arms 906 rotatable about a rotary assembly axis. Arms 906 are positioned and dimensioned so as to contact levers 916 of a corresponding door 915. In operation, and referring to the zoomed in portion shown in
It is also appreciated that levers 916, links 917, and/or doors 915 can include certain weight ratios, counter balances, and/or springs such that doors 915 remain in the open position at rest. In such embodiments, rotation and contact by arm 906 may cause a corresponding door 915 to close or block its respective aperture and return to an open position thereafter. In addition, each arm 906 may be independently movable about the axis the rotary assembly axis and/or may be configured to rotate at varying relative speeds depending on, for example, a gear ratio, separate motor, or the like.
The network interface(s) 1010 contain the mechanical, electrical, and signaling circuitry for communicating data over links coupled to a communication network. The network interfaces may be configured to transmit and/or receive data using a variety of different communication protocols. In addition, some devices may have two different types of network connections 1010, e.g., wireless and wired/physical connections, and that the view herein is merely for illustration.
Memory 1040 comprises a plurality of storage locations that are addressable by processor 1020 and network interfaces 1010 for storing software programs and data structures associated with the embodiments described herein. The processor 1020 may comprise hardware elements or hardware logic adapted to execute the software programs and manipulate the data structures 1045. An operating system 1042, portions of which are typically resident in memory 1040 and executed by the processor, functionally organizes the device by, inter alia, invoking operations in support of software processes and/or services executing on the device. These software processes and/or services may comprise a dynamic blocking process/services 1044, as described herein.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other processor and memory types, including various computer-readable media, may be used to store and execute program instructions pertaining to the techniques described herein. Also, while the description illustrates various processes, it is expressly contemplated that various processes may be embodied as modules configured to operate in accordance with the techniques herein (e.g., according to the functionality of a similar process). Further, while the processes have been shown separately, those skilled in the art will appreciate that processes may be routines or modules within other processes.
Dynamic blocking process 1044 contains computer readable instructions executable by processor 1020. These instructions, when executed by the processor 1020, cause the processor to perform functions that operate and/or control a rotary assembly (e.g., motor) such as rotary assemblies 405, 905. These functions may, on capable devices, be configured to dynamically rotate arms for the respective rotary assembly on a particular schedule (pre-programmed, random, etc.). In addition, in some embodiments, the dynamic blocking process 1044 may also detect when an object passes through an aperture (e.g., detecting disruption of an IR light, etc.), keep track of points scored and/or statistics (e.g., regarding the total number of points, preferences for scoring through specific apertures, etc.), adjust a rotation rate of the motor based on a number of times or instances the object passes through the apertures in a time period (e.g., increase/decrease a level of difficulty or speed associated with the rotation rate, etc.), and the like.
Moreover, in other embodiments, device 1000 may operate in conjunction with a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, tablet, etc.) over a wireless communication network. In such embodiments, the smart phone may include an application that provides a user interface and allows a user to set a schedule for opening/closing doors on the a goal training apparatuses/devices discussed herein. In addition, device 1000 can communicate the points scored, statistics, the rotation rate, and other metrics to the mobile device for subsequent display.
Further, it is expressly contemplated that the dynamic blocking process/services described herein can be implemented as software being stored on a tangible (non-transitory) computer-readable medium, devices, and memories (e.g., disks/CDs/RAM/EEPROM/etc.) having program instructions executing on a computer, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. Further, methods describing the various functions and techniques described herein can be implemented using computer-executable instructions that are stored or otherwise available from computer readable media. Such instructions can comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause or otherwise configure a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Portions of computer resources used can be accessible over a network. The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, or source code. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used to store instructions, information used, and/or information created during methods according to described examples include magnetic or optical disks, flash memory, USB devices provided with non-volatile memory, networked storage devices, and so on. In addition, devices implementing methods according to these disclosures can comprise hardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any of a variety of form factors. Typical examples of such form factors include laptops, smart phones, small form factor personal computers, personal digital assistants, and so on. Functionality described herein also can be embodied in peripherals or add-in cards. Such functionality can also be implemented on a circuit board among different chips or different processes executing in a single device, by way of further example. Instructions, media for conveying such instructions, computing resources for executing them, and other structures for supporting such computing resources are means for providing the functions described in these disclosures.
The devices, apparatus, and techniques described herein, therefore, provide a goal training aid that simulates the dynamic nature of live game situations by opening and closing doors to permit/prohibit access by an object (e.g., a puck, ball, etc.) through an entrance plane of the goal. The techniques described herein are particularly applicable for any sport that that awards points when an object (e.g., a puck, ball, etc.) pass through an opening of a goal. By way of non-limiting examples, the devices described herein are readily adaptable for sports such as hockey (ice, roller, street, etc.), lacrosse, water polo, basketball, soccer (or futbol), field hockey, and the like.
While there have been shown and described illustrative embodiments that provide a dynamic goal training apparatus/aid, it is to be understood that various other adaptations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the embodiments herein. For example, the embodiments have been shown and described herein with relation to a hockey net. However, the embodiments in their broader sense are not as limited, and may, in fact, be used with any number of sports, as discussed above. Moreover, while certain embodiments are shown and described as having certain features or aspects, such features or aspects may be interchangeable included (or excluded) from any of the embodiments disclosed herein.
The foregoing description has been directed to specific embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Accordingly this description is to be taken only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the embodiments herein.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/405,112, filed on Oct. 6, 2016, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62405112 | Oct 2016 | US |
