MECHANISMS FOR CONNECTING A NET TO SPORTS EQUIPMENT

[0001] The present Application for Patent claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/418,741 entitled “Mechanisms For Connecting a Net to a Sports Goal and/or Rebounder” filed Nov. 7, 2016, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] The technology discussed below relates generally to sport equipment, and more specifically to mechanisms for connecting a net to sports equipment.

[0003] Many sports utilize sports equipment that incorporates a net. For example, some sports utilize goals into which players on offense try to place an object (e.g., ball, puck, etc.) to score points. Typically, such goals include a net attached to a frame to keep the object (e.g., ball, puck, etc.) inside the goal when an offensive player successfully places it there. Other examples of sports equipment utilizing nets include rebounders used for practicing a particular sport.

[0004] The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated features of the disclosure, and is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in summary form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0005] One or more aspects of the present disclosure include sports equipment and/or sports apparatus. According to at least one embodiment, such equipment/apparatus may include a frame, a plurality of connectors, and a net. Each connector may include one or two connection posts coupled to the frame and extending away from the frame at an angle of at least 15° from a vertically extending plane. The net may be coupled to the plurality of connectors.

[0006] Additional aspects of the present disclosure include methods of making a sports apparatus. According to at least one implementation, such methods may include providing a frame and providing a plurality of connectors with at least one connection post. The connection posts of each connector may be coupled to the frame with each connection post extending generally outward from the frame at an angle of at least 15° from a vertically extending plane.

[0007] Other aspects, features, and embodiments associated with the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

[0015] The illustrations presented herein are, in some instances, not actual views of any particular connectors, net, or goal, but are merely idealized representations which are employed to describe the present disclosure. Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.

[0016] Various embodiments of the present disclosure include sports apparatus and sports equipment that utilize nets. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sports apparatus 100 configured as a goal according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the sports apparatus 100 is configured as a hockey goal, although other configurations suitable for one or more other sports is possible, including goals for other sports, rebounders, and/or other sports equipment. The sports apparatus 100 generally includes a frame 102 and a net 104 coupled to at least a part of the frame 102.

[0017] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the net 104 is coupled to the frame 102 by a plurality of connectors. Turning to FIG. 2, an isometric view of a segment of the frame 102 is shown according to at least one embodiment. As depicted, the frame 102 includes a plurality of connectors 202 coupled thereto. FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a connector 202 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Each connector 202 includes one or more connection posts 302 coupled to the frame 102. For example, the connector 202 in FIG. 3 includes two connection posts 302 coupled together by a looped member 304.

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectioned side view of the frame 102 taken along section 4-4 in FIG. 2 is depicted according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the connectors 202 are coupled to the frame 102 at an angle ‘D’. More specifically, the connection posts 302 are coupled to the frame 102 and extend outwardly away from the frame at an angle ‘D’ relative to a vertically extending plane 402. In the view depicted in FIG. 4, the left side of the frame 102 as oriented can represent the inside and/or the front side of the sports apparatus 100. In other words, the inside part of the sports apparatus 100 represents the part that is facing the area where an object (e.g., puck, ball) is projected at the sports apparatus 100. Accordingly, the right side of the frame 102 represents the outside and/or back side of the sports apparatus 100. In this manner, a puck or other object that is projected at the sports apparatus 100 and may hit the connector 202 at least partially deflect off the connector 202, reducing the likelihood that the connector 202 will be broken away from the frame 102.

[0019] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the angle ‘D’ can be an angle that is equal to, or greater than 15° from the vertically extending plane 402. That is, the connectors 202 are each angled back from vertical at an angle of about 15° or more. More specifically, the connection posts 302 can be positioned to extend away from the frame 102 at an angle of about 15° or more from the vertically extending plane 402.

[0020] In use, a puck, ball, or other object may be shot or otherwise moved at or into the sports apparatus 100 and may hit into the connector 202 that is angled as described herein. Force on the connector 202 may cause the connector 202 to displace slightly, but the angle ‘D’ aids in keeping the connector 202 from breaking off of the frame 102. For example, the angle ‘D’ can result in the force against the connector 202 having an orthogonal component and a parallel component, where the orthogonal component is the force against the connector 202 and the parallel component is not against the connector 202.

[0021] Additionally, if the connector 202 is displaced, the displacement will simply cause the angle ‘D’ to be increased until a part of the looped member 304 of the connector 202 is positioned adjacent to the frame 102. When a part of the looped member 304 of the connector 202 is placed adjacent to the frame 102, the frame 102 provides additional support on the connector 202 to keep it from further displacing, and also acts to lock the net into the connector 202.

[0022] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a portion of the frame 102 with connectors 202, and showing a hockey puck 502 moving generally in the direction of arrow 504. As shown, the hockey puck 502 will strike at least one connector 202 that is coupled as described above. As noted, the angle ‘D’ can help maintain the connector 202 coupled to the frame 102 without breaking off. When the hockey puck 502 strikes a connector 202, a component of the force will be directed against the connector 202 and another component will be directed parallel to the connector, directing the puck 502 and reducing the total force against the connector 202.

[0023] In some embodiments, a sports apparatus 100 can include a frame with differently directed sections. For example, referring again to FIG. 1, the frame 102 can include a front frame 106 and a base frame 108. In some embodiments, the connectors 202 on the front frame 106 can be positioned as shown in FIGS. 2-5. Similarly, the connectors 202 on a back segment 110 of the base frame 108 can be positioned as shown in FIGS. 2-5. In some embodiments, the connectors 202 on side segments 112 of the base frame may be oriented as shown in FIG. 6 with a secondary angle. FIG. 6 is a top view of a frame segment with a connector oriented at a first or primary angle and a second or secondary angle according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted, the frame 102 can include a longitudinal axis 602. The connectors 202 on one or more segments of the frame 102 (e.g., side segments 112) can be can be oriented with the primary angle back from vertical at an angle ‘D’, as well as oriented with a secondary angle relative to the longitudinal axis 602 of the frame 102 at an angle ‘Y’. In one or more embodiments, the angle ‘Y’ may also be at least 15° from the longitudinal axis 602 of the frame segment to which it is connected.

[0024] Although examples are shown for a goal embodiment, it will be apparent that aspects of the present disclosure can be utilized with other sports equipment that includes a frame and a net coupled to the frame. For example, aspects of the present disclosure can be utilized with rebounders that are either stand-alone rebounders or that are used in combination with a goal. In such embodiments, the rebounder includes a frame with a plurality of connectors coupled at an angle ‘D’ as described above.

[0025] Additional aspects of the present disclosure include methods of making a sports goal or rebounder. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating at least one example of a method of making a sports apparatus, such as a goal, rebounder, or other sports apparatus. As shown, a frame structure may be provided at step 702. By way of example, the frame structure may be configured as a sports goal in one or more implementations. In one or more other implementations, the frame structure may be configured as a rebounder. The frame structure may include a material suitable to be coupled with one or more connectors.

[0026] At 704, a plurality of connectors may be provided. Each of the plurality of connectors may be configured similar to the connectors 202 described herein, including one or two connection posts, and a looped member.

[0027] At 706, the connection posts of each connector can be coupled to the frame, with each connection post extending outwardly away from the frame at an angle of at least 15° from a vertically extending plane. In some embodiments, one or more of the connectors may be coupled to the frame with the primary angle and with a secondary angle of at least 15° relative to a longitudinal axis of a portion of the frame to which the connectors are coupled. The connection posts may be coupled to the frame in any suitable manner according to the materials used for the frame and the connectors. For example, the connectors may be welded, glued, or otherwise coupled to the frame.

[0028] The various features associate with the examples described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings can be implemented in different examples and implementations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, although certain specific constructions and arrangements have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, such embodiments are merely illustrative and not restrictive of the scope of the disclosure, since various other additions and modifications to, and deletions from, the described embodiments will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the scope of the disclosure is only determined by the literal language, and legal equivalents, of the claims which follow.