Portable Sports Target

Abstract

A Portable Sports Target includes a pole, an upper hub and a lower hub. The upper and lower hubs have target supports radially extending from them. The target supports have target material attached to them which provides a target to be struck by a disc or ball. In one embodiment the hubs spin about the pole to help give a visual cue when the target has been struck. In one embodiment the pole separates into an upper pole section and a lower pole section via a pole coupling and the upper and lower hubs are removable from the pole for easy transport. In one embodiment the target material is made of fabric and it's outline is in the shape of a disc golf basket silhouette.

Description

[0001] This application claims benefit to provisional application Ser. No. 63 / 720,387 which was filed on November 14, 2024

[0002] I, Colin Richard Buckingham have invented a portable sports target.BACKGROUND

[0003] Disc golf is a sport where the objective is to land or strike a disc within a target or basket in the fewest number of throws. The type of target or basket commonly used on a course for competitive play is outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,551A by inventor David B. Dunipace as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,189. Alternatives to the previously listed “baskets” or “targets” are tone poles, saucer golf target, buckets or repurposed propane tanks, and markings on a tree among other things. All of the targets or baskets serve the same function, which is to provide an area that the disc must strike or come to rest within.OBJECTIVES

[0004] The invention is a compact light weight portable target or “basket” for the sport of disc golf, although it could be used for other sports. The target material, where a disc strikes the “basket” may be highly visible and may spin around a central pole displacing impact and giving a visual cue to the player. The light weight and ease of set up allows users to bring a disc golf target or “basket” to places where other targets or baskets would not be taken out of inconvenience. The design provide increased visibility of the target which may be advantageous by way of materials used and attachments affixed to a target area. Lights may be attached which are activated by an attached accelerometer, optical sensor, or other means. Noise making materials such as bells or jingles may be present to give an auditory indication that the target has been struck. The portability helps people play and practice anywhere, anytime. The relatively lower cost of this target may also make it ideal for course design and or permanent courses where the cost of conventional baskets would be prohibitive.

[0005] I've included 12 drawing figures

[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective partial view of the portable sports target. An upper hub 14U is shown at the top with upper target supports 18U extending from it and a top cap 26 located above the upper hub 14U. A lower hub 14L is shown towards the bottom of FIG. 1 with lower target supports extending from it 18L. Target material 24 is attached to and extends from the upper material supports 18U and the lower material supports 18L. An upper pole section 12U is shown between the upper and lower hub. A pole coupling 16 is shown below the lower hub 14L and above a lower pole section 12L.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a partial front view omitting certain components for clarity. An upper hub 14U and lower hub 14L are shown with support receptacles 28. Two pole couplings 16 are shown one top, one bottom. The pole couplings 16 can have a collar section 50 which the upper hub 14U or lower hub 14L may rest on.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view of upper hub or lower hub 14U / 14L with upper target support or lower target support 18U / 18L extending from it. A flanged contact surface 52 is shown as well as a void in hub 30 which a pole section 12U / 12L may pass through.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of the flanged contact surface 52.

[0010] FIG. 5 is a front view of an embodiment of the portable sports target showing a ground support means 20 with a receptacle for lower pole section 40 a foot peg 42 and a spike 44.

[0011] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial front broken view with a locking means 22, and a bolt 23.

[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged bottom view of the upper hub or lower hub 14U / 14L with locking means area 60 and the void in hub 30.

[0013] FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial front view of an embodiment of a hub and collar section

[0014] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of FIG. 8.

[0015] FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial front broken view showing a hub 14L in the closed position with an open hub position securing means 21 located on the surface of the upper pole section 12U. A long repositioning target support 19L and a short repositioning target support 19S and a pivoting means 25 are shown. A lower pole section 12L with collar section 50 are shown.

[0016] FIG. 11 is a partial front view showing an upper hub 14U in the open position and a closed hub position securing means 21C. A lower hub 14L is shown in the closed position and an open hub securing means 21 is shown. A hub release 31 is shown on the surface of both hubs. A repositioning anchor 29 is shown.

[0017] FIG. 12 is an enlarged front view of an embodiment of an upper target support 18U with a slot 70.

[0018] FIG. 13 is an enlarged front view of an embodiment of a target material with a target pocket 80 and a target attachment means 82

[0019] FIG. 14 is a front partial view of an embodiment with a swivel ball head 92, a ball head locking means 94, receptacle for lower pole section 40 and a ground support stand 96.

[0020] FIG. 15 is a front view of an embodiment of a contoured pole section 100 with hub attachment area 102

[0021] FIG. 16 is a top view of an embodiment of a separating hub 110 with hub joining area 112

[0022] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of horizontal target material 24H

[0023] FIG. 18 is an enlarged front view of an embodiment of a target support connector 18C and a vertical target support 18V and an embodiment of the target attachment means 82

[0024] FIG. 19 is an enlarged front view of an embodiment with an angled target support 18A and a connector void 122Drawings—Reference Numerals12U—upper pole section

[0026] 12L—lower pole section

[0027] 14L—lower hub

[0028] 14U—upper hub

[0029] 16—pole coupling

[0030] 18A angled target support

[0031] 18C target support connectors

[0032] 18V vertical target support

[0033] 18U—upper target support

[0034] 18L—lower target support

[0035] 19S—short repositioning target support

[0036] 19L—long repositioning target support

[0037] 20—ground support means

[0038] 22—locking means

[0039] 23—bolt

[0040] 24—target material

[0041] 24H—horizontal target material

[0042] 25—pivoting means

[0043] 26—top cap

[0044] 28—receptacles for target supports

[0045] 29—repositioning anchor

[0046] 30—void in hub

[0047] 31—hub release

[0048] 40—receptacle for lower pole section

[0049] 42—foot peg

[0050] 44—spike

[0051] 45—ground support stand

[0052] 50—collar section

[0053] 52—flanged contact surface

[0054] 70—slot

[0055] 80—target pocket

[0056] 82—target attachment means

[0057] 90—target accessory

[0058] 92—swivel ball head

[0059] 94—ball head locking means

[0060] 100—contoured pole section

[0061] 102—hub attachment area

[0062] 110—separating hub

[0063] 112—hub joining area

[0064] 122—connector voidDescription

[0065] In one embodiment a top cap 26 is located directly above the upper hub 14U (FIG. 1). The upper pole section 12U passes through the upper hub 14U and the lower hub 14L. The top cap 26 helps to keep the upper hub 14U in place and serves as a way to remove the upper hub 14U for storage or easy transport. The top cap may have an attachment means on its top, such as threads so a flag can be attached to the top. Target material supports 18U / 18L extend from the hubs and are connected to the target material 24. A user may have the device broken down for easy transport by way of removing the lower pole section 12L from the pole coupling 16 and upper target supports 18U from the upper hub 14U and lower target supports 18L from the lower hub 14L. One example of a coupling is a hollow aluminum fitting with a “stop” or protrusion on the inside to limit the depth that the pole can insert.

[0066] Having the device disassembled this way would allow the user to easily transport the device to a desired location. Once the user is in the desired location they simply need to reassemble the device and secure it to the ground by way of the ground support means 20 (FIG. 5) Ground support means 20 includes a receptacle for lower pole section 40, foot pegs 42 and a spike 44 (see FIG. 5). The user can stand a long way away from where it was installed and still see the target material 24 especially if it is brightly colored. The user throws his or her disc a number of times until it eventually strikes the target material 24. The user can easily tell when the target material is struck by way of it spinning around the upper pole section 12U or by way of the lower hub moving up the pole which it surrounds. Lights or noise making material such as bells may be attached to the target material to help the user see and hear when the target material has been struck. Because of its lighter weight as compared to a conventional disc golf target the device is easily moved if a new location is desired.

[0067] In one embodiment the upper and lower hubs 14U / 14L are hexagonal in shape (FIG. 3) and measure roughly 6 cm across at their widest point and 2.5 cm in height. The Hubs can be any other shape such as circular, to name just one and be other dimensions than those listed. Hubs can be made of a durable common material such as, but not limited to: various types of plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or composites. The collar section 50 serves the function of keeping the hub in a particular area of the pole section and provides a surface for the hub to “ride” on. In one embodiment a flanged contact surface 52 (FIG. 4) is located in the center of the hub (FIG. 3). The flanged contact surface 52 has the function of reducing friction so the hub can spin easily around the pole it is surrounding and the collar section it comes in contact with. Friction is reduced by materials used having natural lubricity which allow parts to glide past each other. One such example of this type of material is used by igus “iglide” products. Bushings or bearings may be used to achieve this. In one embodiment the hubs 14U / 14L have collar sections 50 directly above and below (FIG. 8). (FIG. 9) shows an embodiment and the relation of parts more clearly with a pole section 12U / 12L passing through the hub 14U / 14L and held in place by 2 collar sections 50. In one embodiment there is a contoured pole section 100 which provides an area for placement of a separating hub 110 (FIG. 15). Separating hub 110 has a hub joining area 112 for attachment and removal to the contoured pole section 100 (FIG. 16). Hub joining area can consist of, but not limited to: magnets, snaps, or “lego” type fittings. The separating hub 110 may also be joined by a clasp or notch and post located on the outer surface of the separating hub sections (not shown). The upper and lower hubs have upper and lower material supports extending from each of the six sides of the hub (shown in more detail in FIG. 3) . Receptacles for target supports 28 are located on the surface of the hubs and allow material supports to be attached to and removed from the hub (FIG. 2). A user can quickly remove the material supports and target material for transport or to change the type of target material. The material supports 18U / 18L insert into the support receptacles 28 and can be secured by, but not limited to: male / female threads, magnets, protrusion of ball with spring and corresponding recess, or a key and lock type fitting. The material supports can also be an extension of the hubs, meaning they are made from one continuous piece. In one embodiment the upper and lower material supports are made of fiberglass rods. Other materials may be used such as, but not limited to: plastics, carbon fiber, graphite, or composites. In one embodiment the upper material supports extend roughly 19 cm from the side of the upper hub. In one embodiment the lower material supports extend roughly 14 cm from the side of the lower hub. Other lengths and dimensions may be used. In one embodiment lower target support to upper target support measures 18 inches tall when fully assembled as in (FIG. 5) or (FIG. 1). The target material 24 is attached to both the upper and lower material supports. The resulting profile mimics the profile of a disc golf baskets target area or chains not obscured by the “cage”. Allowing the hub and subsequently the target material to spin around the pole and or up and down the pole helps to displace impact and give a visual que to the user that they have struck the target material.

[0068] The upper or lower hub may be fixed to and or be part of the pole section and not allowed to spin. In one embodiment the upper or lower hub can be temporarily locked in place by way of a locking means 22 (FIG. 5). A hub can be locked in place by way of, but not limited to: bolt and recess, magnets, eyelet and hook, hook and loop. The hub may be allowed to spin only a limited amount of travel by way of a channel or elastic bands connected to a pole section and a hub (not shown). One example is shown with a bolt 23 and a locking means area 25 (FIG. 5 and FIG. 6). The bolt 23 fits into a recess on the surface of a hub at a locking means area 25. Another embodiment allows for the lower hub to move vertically up the pole section by way of only having a collar section located below the hub (FIG. 2). Various amounts of travel or lack thereof can be present with regards to hub moving or not moving about a pole section and or collar section in a circular motion. One example would be having the hub be able to only move up and down a pole section and not spin around it.

[0069] The target material 24 can be attached to the upper or lower target supports 18U / 18L by way of a target attachment means 82 that may consist of, but not limited to: a target pocket 80 (FIG. 12) which consists of a channel which the target support rod slides into, hook and loop, magnets, or a slot 70 on the target support where a target attachment means 82 (FIG. 13) passes through and attaches to target material by way of snaps, hook and loop or buckles (not shown).

[0070] Target material can be made of, but not limited to: nylon, latex, synthetic rubber, silicon, polyester or a number of other common durable materials. Target material can be elastic and “grippy” one example is the material commonly used in resistance bands that physical therapists use.

[0071] Target material can be oriented in different directions. One example is shown in (FIG. 17) where the target material extends vertically and also horizontally to another vertically oriented section of target material. Target material 24 can have a target accessory 90 attached (FIG. 13). Target accessory can be any number of things such as: lights, bells. Target material may also be light weight chains made of plastic or other materials. Target material may also be hollow tubes, such as those found on wind chimes. Target material may also be made of netting material. Target material my be permanently fixed to the target support rods.

[0072] Target support rods can also be located on or next to the vertical section of the target material by vertical support rods 18V (FIG. 18) and connected to the upper target support 18U and lower target support 18L by way of a target support connector 18C (FIG. 18). In one embodiment an angled target support 18A is shown (FIG. 19). The angled target support passes through the top or bottom surface of a hub 14L, 14U (FIG. 19). The angled target support may have a groove which matches with a groove inside the hub to hold it in place (not shown). The angled target support 18A may have a connector void 122 on its surface where the target attachment means 82 connect to the target supports. One example of the target attachment means 82 in this embodiment may be but not limited to: carabiner, bungee cord with hook, adjustable and removable zip tie. The target material and target attachment means on the ends of the target material can be connected to both angled target supports thus having them under tension and effectively holding them to the hubs (FIG. 19).

[0073] One embodiment partially folds for easier storage and transport by way of the target supports. The target supports in this embodiment have a short repositioning target support 19S and a long repositioning target support 19L (FIG. 10) (FIG. 11). The hub 14U / 14L can move up and down the upper pole section 12U which changes the orientation of the repositioning target supports, thus opening or closing the target supports for storage or use. The hubs are held in place by an open hub position securing means 21 or a closed hub position means 21C (FIG. 10FIG. 11) In one embodiment the open and closed hub position securing means is depicted as a depression or void in a pole section 12U (FIG. 10FIG. 11). In one embodiment there is a hub release 31 (FIG. 10FIG. 11) which may be, but not limited to: a spring loaded tab on the surface of the hub. There are multiple pivot means 25 where the repositioning target supports 19S / 19L can hinge. In one embodiment there are pivot means located on a repositioning anchor 29 (FIG. 11). The repositioning anchor 29 is stationary and is affixed to, or part of the upper pole section 12U. Such pivoting means can be seen on many products such as an umbrella, or foldable clothes rack. A user can slide the hub up the pole until it clicks into place at the open hub securing means. When the user transports the device they can press the hub release and slide the hub down until it clicks into place at the closed hub securing means. In (FIG. 11) the upper hub is shown in the open position and the lower hub is shown in the closed position for illustrative purposes. In one embodiment the upper pole section 12U fits into a pole coupling (FIG. 11). The upper pole section can spin around inside the pole coupling by way of low friction surfaces or a pointed end of the upper pole section spinning around a surface on the pole coupling much like a top spins (not shown).

[0074] In one embodiment the upper pole section 12U is depicted as fitting over the lower pole section 12L and resting on a collar section 50 (FIG. 10). In one embodiment the upper pole section can spin about the lower pole section and collar area (FIG. 10).

[0075] In one embodiment a swivel ball head 92 and ball head locking means 94 is shown which allows the user to position the upper part of the portable target for a better placement on uneven ground (FIG. 14). A ground support stand 96 is shown (FIG. 14) which is an alternative to the previous mentioned spike and foot pegs. A tripod with adjustable length legs may also be used to place the portable basket on the ground (not shown). Different ways of contacting the ground can be achieved by removal and installation of different components by way of a receptacle for lower pole section 40.

[0076] Any of the embodiments described in this paper can be in combination with other features described in other embodiments. Dimensions can be different than those described. The number and placement of various components may be different than those described.

[0077] Fiberoptic lights or glow in the dark and or black light reactive materials may be present at various places on the portable sports target to aid in seeing the device in the dark. Optical or motion sensors may be present on the device which control lights or speakers. Such sensors can be seen on

[0078] Halloween props among other items. When a disc or ball is thrown at the device the sensor will activate lights or sounds which will help indicate to the player that they have struck the target. Target material may be in different shapes, such as the silhouette of a person. Different components such as the poles and or the target supports may have an elastic cord running through a hollow tube, like seen on tent poles. Various metals such as aluminum may be used for different components.CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0079] Although the descriptions above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but merely providing illustrations of some of several embodiments.

[0080] Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A portable sports target comprising:a. a center pole having an upper end and a lower endb. an upper hub which is mounted to said pole towards said upper end and a lower hubwhich is mounted to said pole towards said lower endc. a plurality of target supports which extends radially from said upper and lower hubd. a target material which is coupled to said target supports.

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