A shooting training device for a goal

Abstract

A shooting training device 99 for use in a goal of the kind used in sports such as football (soccer) or hockey, comprising a simulation goalkeeper with outstretched arms 3, a torso, and legs 5, wherei

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shooting training device for a goal, in particular a device for providing a goalkeeper; more particularly a device for providing a goalkeeping training device, for football, or soccer, or ice hockey or other sports involving a goal. Background In many societies across the world it is increasingly common to play and enjoy football, which is a team sport, but at the same time, it is increasingly common for people or players to often not have access to team-mates. It can therefore be difficult to practise some skills from a team sport such as football, or soccer, particularly those that require other people, such as a goalkeeper. Many players would like to practise shooting at a goal with a goalkeeper, as simply shooting at a wall can be boring and unresponsive, as well as liable to loss of the ball, and shooting at an empty goal can teach little beyond placement of the ball. Prior Art US 8 052 545 (ASSENHEIMER) discloses a sports training device, comprising: a goal having a goal frame; a target support frame having a pair of elongated, parallel, straight, spaced-apart target connecting members carried by said goal frame of said goal; a device attachment assembly carried by said target support frame; a device anchor assembly carried by said target support frame; a first target and a second target carried by said target support frame in spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other between said device attachment assembly and said device anchor assembly; wherein said target connecting members of said target support frame extend vertically between said first target and said second target; wherein each of said first target and said second target comprises a generally pan-shaped target body having a target interior and said target connecting members are secured in said target interior of said first target and said second target; and an alarm carried by said target body in said target interior. US 6 736 739 (EPWORTH) discloses a soccer training device, which fits into and is used in conjunction with a standard backyard soccer goal, uses a motorized simulated goalie. The goalie traverses across the mouth of the goal and a cam mechanism is used to impart an oscillating motion about the vertical axis of the goalie while traversing. A ball return device is included which returns the ball to the player after it has entered the mouth of the goal. A speed control varies the speed of the goalie enabling players of various ages and levels of skill to use the training device to hone their skills. US 5 628 515 (LEVY) discloses a soccer training device, for mounting to a soccer goal, comprising a visual target, a clamp, and a tapered stem between the visual target and clamp. The clamp has a pair of jaws capable of opening and closing to attach the soccer training device onto a soccer goal. The clamp is attached to the tapered stem with a hinge, which allows the visual target to deflect with respect to the clamp when hit with a soccer ball where the device is clamped onto a soccer goal to remind a player to aim for extremities of the soccer goal. Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a shooting training device for a goal comprising a goalkeeper with outstretched arms, a torso, and legs, wherein the arms comprise an attachment means adapted to attach the arms to a goal. In this way the device may provide a means of learning shooting skills in a goal, with a facsimile goalkeeper to provide a block with rebound of ball into play and performance feedback. In some embodiments of the device the legs comprise a securement means to secure a lower portion of the device, whereas in other embodiments the lower portion is free to move when hit, to absorb or deflect or displace according to strength of shot. In some embodiments of the device the goalkeeper is provided by a planar panel of rigid material, such as plywood or plastic or aluminium. In some embodiments of the device the goalkeeper comprises a printed or painted with a representation of a human goalkeeper, to provide further interest and an aesthetic encouragement. In some embodiments of the device the attachment means comprises ties, which allow for tying around a crossbar. In some embodiments of the device the ties comprise hook and loop material for securement purposes, such as Velcro (RTM), whereby the hook and loop material provides adjustment according to needs. In some embodiments of the device the ties comprise elastic material, for example having rigid end toggles or clips, which are secured together with the elastic material providing adjustment to the diameter of the goalpost or crossbar. In some embodiments of the device the ties comprise press studs. In some embodiments of the device the torso and legs share one or more hinge, such that the legs of the goalkeeper may be adapted to move in relation to the torso, and / or provide feedback when shot at. In some embodiments of the device the legs comprise weighting means, so as to control the quantity of movement and / or feedback the legs provide. In some embodiments of the device the weighting means comprises free weights and a hook or hanger, such that a user is enabled to easily and flexibly adjust amount of weight in use. In some embodiments of the device the legs comprise ground insertion means, or means to insert the feet into the ground, such as but not limited to spikes or pegs. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a goal with a device substantially as described herein with reference to the figures. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of training comprising a goal substantially as described herein with reference to the figures. A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows a diagrammatic view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1. Detailed Description of Figures With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of a shooting training device 99 for football generally comprising a goalkeeper 80 with outstretched arms 3, a torso 9, and legs 7, wherein the arms comprise an attachment means 10 adapted to attach the arms to a goalpost, in particular a crossbar of a goal. In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the goalkeeper is provided by a planar sheet of wood, such as but not limited to marine plywood. This sheet is printed or painted with a representation of a human or cartoon person. The torso and the legs are joined by a transverse hinge 8, which comprises two separate hinges spaced apart laterally, which hinges are arranged to allow the goalkeeper to hinge substantially in its middle, so as to hinge backwards. It may be envisaged that the hinge only operates in a single direction. This may allow for the goalkeeper to be folded in half for transport and storage as well as allowing the goalkeeper to accept and move when struck by a ball. The amis include hands 1 which have the goal attachment means 10 on their rear face. The goal attachment means comprises a set of two ties, which ties are adapted to be tied around the goal cross bar in use. The ties are elastic cords 11, with endmost rigid plastic clip parts 12,13. In this way the arms of the goalkeeper may be tied to the cross bar, such that when the goalkeeper is struck by a ball the goalkeeper will accept the strike centrally at the hinge. The arms 3 of the goalkeeper are splayed, and the legs 5 are similarly splayed, so as to represent a human goalkeeper attempting to make themselves as large as possible in the goal. The legs of the goalkeeper extend from shorts 7 whose top provides the hinging line, and the legs terminate in feet 4, which feet may be provided with ground engagement means comprises spikes, which are pushed into the ground to hold the lower portion of the goalkeeper in place when the goalkeeper is struck by a ball. In the pictured embodiment however the rear surface of the legs further comprises a weighting means 6, in particular a hook post 63 for receipt of annular free weights 61, with a lock collar 62, which hook post 63 comprises a anchor 66 inserted in a hole 65 in the leg.. In this way the legs may be envisaged to terminate in the air in use, so as to be freely hingeable on the hinges, so as to displace when hit by a ball at sufficient velocity. If the weighting means is used however the legs may be rendered heavier and less 5 easily displaced. In this way the legs may be weighted so as to provide greater resistance to the ball when it strikes the goalkeeper, and wherein the free weight nature of the weighting means enables a user to adjust for style, preference and / or proficiency and age. 10 When not in use, rubber or plastic grommets (not shown) may be inserted into holes 65 in the legs which holes allow passage of the weighting means 6. In addition or the alternative rubber washers may be include on either side of weights 15 to prevent possible vibration loosening. The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A shooting training device for a goal comprising a goalkeeper with outstretched arms, a torso, and legs, wherein the arms comprise an attachment means adapted to attach the arms to the goal.

2. A shooting training device for a goal according to claim 1 wherein the legs comprise a securement means to secure a lower portion of the device.

3. A shooting training device for a goal according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the goalkeeper is provided by a planar panel of rigid material.

4. A shooting training device for a goal according to any preceding claim wherein the goalkeeper comprises a printed or painted with a representation of a human goalkeeper.

5. A shooting training device for a goal according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises ties.

6. A shooting training device for a goal according to claim 5 wherein the ties comprise hook and loop material.

7. A shooting training device for a goal according to claim 5 wherein the ties comprise elastic material.

8. A shooting training device for a goal according to claim 5 wherein the ties comprise press studs.

9. A shooting training device for a goal according to any preceding claim wherein the torso and legs share a hinge.

10. A shooting training device for a goal according to any preceding claim wherein the legs comprise weighting means.

11. A shooting training device for a goal according to claim 10 wherein the weighting means comprises free weights and a hook or hanger.

12. A shooting training device for a goal according to any preceding claim wherein the legs comprise ground insertion means.

13. A goal with a device according to any of the preceding claims.

14. A method of training comprising a goal according to claim 13.

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