Abstract
Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a universal and adjustable goal practice backstop system for hockey goals and other similar types of sports goals which comprises an attachable bracket system that may telescope to fit all sizes and widths of a hockey goal and other similar types of sports goals via a number of clamp mechanisms. The backstop system provides improved side coverage of a practice area with a forward lean design enabled by a pair of pivot bracket assemblies which comprise a pair of net pole sockets and a pair of universal pivot bracket mounting bases. It is durable, lightweight, versatile yet can be transported and stored easily in a fold-away position without the need to utilize any tools.
Claims
1. A sports goal practice backstop system configured to removably attach to a sports goal comprising: a telescoping bracket frame, removably mounted to the sports goal comprised of: at least two bolt clamping mechanisms, wherein each of the bolt clamping mechanisms comprise: a clamp configured to removably attach to the sports goal; a clamp knob configured to prevent the sports goal practice backstop system from rotating during use; and a bracket configured to center the telescoping bracket frame; a pair of pivot bracket assemblies, wherein one pivot bracket assembly is located at each end of the telescoping bracket frame and each pivot bracket assembly further comprises a corresponding net pole socket; and a first telescoping net pole and second telescoping net pole, wherein each net pole is received in a corresponding net pole socket on the pivot bracket assembly; wherein the first and second telescoping net poles extend outwardly from each end of the telescoping bracket frame.
2. The sports goal practice backstop system of claim 1, wherein the first and second telescoping net poles and the telescoping frame bracket each have a lock and unlock button configured to hold the first and second telescoping net poles and the telescoping frame bracket at a desired length.
3. The sports goal practice backstop system of claim 1, wherein the pivot bracket assembly further comprises the net pole socket having concentric rings and is configured to accommodate the insertion of the first and second telescoping net poles.
4. The sports goal practice backstop system of claim 1, wherein the net pole socket has a polymer insert configured to resist the impact of installation and removal of the first and second telescoping net poles.
5. The sports goal practice backstop system of claim 1, wherein the net pole socket has net retainer holes on the back side configured to receive straps attached to edges of the backstop netting.
6. The sports goal practice backstop system of claim 1, wherein the bolt clamping mechanism comprises clamp knobs with a wide diameter configured to prevent catching and snagging on the backstop netting.
7. The sports goal practice backstop system of claim 1, wherein the backstop system comprises a removably attached net backstop, wherein the removably attached net backstop comprises a net assembly on the edges of the net backstop which attaches to the pivot bracket assembly, the net assembly comprising: a plurality of net sleeves with strap tails; a plurality of d-ring locks configured to receive the strap tails and maintain net retention; and a plurality of net retainer straps configured to thread through the net retainer holes; wherein the net retainer straps thread through the net retainer holes; and wherein the first and second telescoping net poles are placed within the net sleeves.
8. The sports goal practice backstop system of claim 1, wherein the backstop netting is held tight by a plurality of ball bungee cords, the plurality of ball bungee cords are configured to attach to the bottom of the backstop netting and the first and second telescoping net poles.
9. The sports goal practice backstop system of claim 1, wherein the backstop netting is held tight by a net-to-net attachment strap configured to strap to each side of the backstop netting and removably attaches to backstop netting.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of the fully assembled backstop system with the attachable and adjustable bracket mechanism mounted on an existing hockey goal at its forward lean position with backstop netting.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the side view of the fully assembled backstop system with the attachable and adjustable bracket mechanism mounted on an existing hockey goal at its forward lean position with backstop netting.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates the back view of the fully assembled backstop system with the attachable and adjustable bracket mechanism at its fold-away and bracket assembly in a collapsed position.
[0026] FIGS. 4a-4b are schematic diagrams showing the adjustable bracket frame, the tube assembly, the pivot bracket assembly, and the J-bolt clamps.
[0027] FIG. 5a-5b are schematic diagrams showing the back and the front views of the universal pivot bracket mounting base attached to one end of the adjustable bracket frame.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the net retainer holes for the straps and the pivot bracket assembly in a stow away position.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates the components of the net assembly.
[0030] FIG. 8 illustrates three net edging ball bungee cord fastening positions on the back of an existing hockey goal.
[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates two straps (one per side) for net-to-net attachment of net wings to goal net.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Reference will now be made to non-limiting embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the Figures. FIG. 1 shows the fully assembled adjustable and attachable goal practice backstop system 12 mounted on an existing hockey goal 10 at a forward lean position with a backstop netting 16. The backstop system 12 comprises an adjustable bracket frame 13 with a first net pole 14a and a second net pole 14b removably attached to a first pivot bracket assembly 17a and a second pivot bracket assembly 17b respectively to accommodate the backstop netting 16. The adjustable bracket frame 13 may telescope to fit all sizes and widths of any existing hockey goals or other similar types of sports goals. The forward lean design offers shot protection from all angles including the top due to its innovative forward angular design on all three sides—top, left, and right.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows the side view of the fully assembled backstop system 12 at the forward lean position. The net poles 14a and 14b may pivot forward of the plain of the backstop netting 16 at an angle to provide improved and extended side coverage of the practice area.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows the back view of the backstop system 12 at a fold-away and tube collapsed position when it is not in use, wherein the net poles 14a and 14b pivot behind the existing hockey goal 10 so that the backstop netting 16 is out of sight and does not obstruct normal play during a game. A user may lift to unlock the pivot bracket assembly 17a and 17b and rotate down the net poles 14a and 14b into the fold-away position behind the goal. To install and deploy the backstop netting 16 on the existing hockey goal 10, the user may simply attach the backstop system on the horizontal frame of the hockey goal 10 securely using bolt clamp apparatuses 15a, 15b, and 15c. In a preferred embodiment, the bolt clamp apparatuses 15a-15c are J-clamp bolts made from metal or heavy-duty plastic composites. The hockey goal 10 may also be transported on the field easily with the backstop system 12 securely mounted on it at its fold-away position.
[0035] FIGS. 4a-4b illustrate the front and the back of the backstop system 12. In a preferred embodiment, the backstop system comprises an outer telescoping tube 20a, and an inner telescoping tube 20b to accommodate different sizes and widths of hockey goals; the first pivot bracket assembly 17a and the second pivot bracket assembly 17b to host a first net pole socket 19a and a second net pole socket 19b respectively, wherein the first and the second net pole sockets 19a and 19b may accommodate a pair of net poles; and a number of lock/unlock buttons 23 for length adjustability to fit all goal widths.
[0036] Additionally, the bolt clamp apparatuses 15a-15c further comprises J clamps 18a-18c and clamp knobs 22a-22c, wherein the clamp knobs 22a-22c may have large diameters in order to prevent catching or snagging in the backstop netting. In a preferred embodiment, net pole sockets 19a and 19b each comprises concentric rings 28a and 28b to improve strength of the net pole sockets 19a and 19b to help prevent breaking under pole lateral stress.
[0037] In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 4b, the clamp apparatuses comprise three-point, self-centering “V” brackets 25a-25c to accommodate all frame tube diameters and clamp knobs 24a-24c to prevent the backstop system from rotating during use.
[0038] FIG. 5a shows the “X” geometry design of a pivot bracket mounting base 26a which comprises two channels 1 and 2. In a preferred embodiment, the “X” geometry design allows for the pivot bracket mounting base 26a to fit both the left and the right side of the backstop system via channel 1 or channel 2.
[0039] In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 5b, net pole socket 19b has a polymer insert 21 to ensure the net poles are impact resistance and allows for the net poles to be installed and removed without the utilization of tools. The polymer insert 21 is designed to absorb energy and insulate the net poles from the net pole socket 19b to minimize stress.
[0040] FIG. 6. shows a pair of net retainer holes 21a and 21b located on either side behind the net pole socket 19b to receive straps that retain a net assembly to the pivot bracket assembly 17b in its fold-away position.
[0041] Various components of one embodiment of a net assembly 30 are shown in FIG. 7, which comprises a net sleeve with strap 32, a plurality of “D” ring locks 34 for net retention, a pair of net retainer straps 36 strapped through the net retainer holes 21a and 21b of the pivot bracket assembly 17b, wherein a net pole may be placed inside the net sleeve with strap 32.
[0042] FIG. 8 shows ball bungee cords 38a and 38c securely attach the bottom of the backstop netting 16 on the frame of the existing hockey goal 10, while ball bungee cord 38b attaches the bottom of the backstop netting 16 on the outer telescoping tube 20a of the backstop system so that the backstop netting 16 and the netting of the existing hockey goal 10 are integrated together securely and shooting gaps are minimized.
[0043] FIG. 9 shows an additional net-to-net attachment strap 40 on each side of the backstop netting 16 to prevent the netting from getting loose upon impact and/or during windy conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the net-to-net attachment strap 40 is 12 inches away from the bottom of the backstop netting 16.
