TRAINING DEVICE FOR ACCURATE SHOOTOUTS

Abstract

Device for training or for playing shootouts (1), designed to be fixed between two posts, including a flexible band (2) that is elastic and has two opposite free ends (20, 21), first removable fixation means (3) that are secured to a first end (20) of the band, and second removable fixation means (4) that are secured to the second end (21) of the band, wherein said first and second removable fixation means are able to guarantee an removable fixation of the device directly to the two respective posts, the first removable fixation means (3) being able to create a strapping around the posts with the band (2) in the shape of a knot (50).

Claims

1. A device for training or for playing shootouts (1), designed to be fixed between two posts, including a flexible band (2) that is elastic and has two opposite free ends (20, 21), first removable fixation means (3) that are secured to a first end (20) of the band, and second removable fixation means (4) that are secured to the second end (21) of the band, wherein said first and second removable fixation means are able to guarantee an removable fixation of the device directly to the two respective posts, the first removable fixation means (3) being able to create a strapping around the posts with the band (2) in the shape of a knot (50).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first removable fixation means (3) are able to create a strapping around the posts with the band (2) in the shape of a slipknot (50).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first removable fixation means (3) include a rigid or semi-rigid end part (30).

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the end part (30) includes at least one buckle with a rectangular section.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first removable fixation means (3) include an end piece (30) with a double loop, wherein the first buckle (31) is used to fix the part with the end of the band, and wherein the second buckle (32) is adapted to the passing of the band to create a strapping (50) around the posts in the shape of a slipknot.

6. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the end piece (30) is made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic material and/or includes a coating against the abrasion of the surface against which the part is made to be applied, wherein said part, if it is semi-rigid, or said coating is made of a foam.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second removable fixation means (4) include a quick-release system (40, 41).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the quick-release system (40, 41) is a hook and loop attachment system.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second removable fixation means (4) are positioned in the second end (21) of the band and on a same side (2B) of the band, and in that they include a first part (40) that is secured to the distal end of the band, and a second part (41) that is apart from said first part (40).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the both parts are fixed in an removable way to each other, by mutual cooperation in a male-female form-locked manner.

11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the second removable fixation means (4) are positioned in the second end (21) of the band and on the rear side (2B) designed to be opposite to the player when using the training arrangement.

12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the band (2) includes locating means (22) able to distinguish the band from the environment where the arrangement is to be implemented, the locating means include patterns and/or bright or fluorescent colours.

13. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one sensor (6), wherein the at least one sensor is able to provide sound warning functions and/or statistical data.

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the said at least one sensor (6) is secured to the band (2).

15. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes at least one piece (7) designed to be a target or to delineate an area, which is able to be hung to the band (2) in a position of use of the band, wherein the piece (7) is fixed in an removable or irremovable way on the band (2).

16. A method of using a device according to claim 1 when fixed on two separate posts (P1, P2), characterized in that it is used alone to link and be fixed to the two posts, by creating, at the two ends (20, 21) of the band (2) thanks to the first and second removable fixation means (3, 4), two fixing strappings (50, 51) around respectively both separate posts (P1, P2).

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that one of the loops (50) forms a slipknot.

18. The method according to claim 16 for soccer or handball or hockey.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The present invention is now described thanks to examples that are only illustrative and not restrictive relatively to the scope of the invention, and from the appended figures, where:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from above of the training device according to the invention, unused.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of the training device, used, stretched between two posts of a goal.

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the training device when used, at the first end to tie to a post.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a detail view of the FIG. 3.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of the completion of the installation of the training device to tie the second end to the other post.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a perspective and detail view from above of the FIG. 5 with the second end fixed.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a schematic frontal view of the training device with parts as targets or zone delineations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0046] The device for training or playing shootouts 1 of the invention as shown on the FIG. 1 is designed to be set between two posts P1 and P2 of a goal 10 and in an horizontal plane, in order to delineate, for a player, a shooting zone 11, as shown on FIG. 2.

[0047] The device for training or playing shootouts includes a flexible band 2, first removable fixation means 3 positioned at one of the ends of the band, and second removable fixation means 4 positioned at the other end of the band, wherein the first and second removable fixation means are designed to secure the removable fixation of the arrangement for training 1, respectively to the posts P1 and P2, in order to set the band 2 horizontally stretched between the two posts at a certain height from the ground. The band 2 delineates the shooting zone 11 between itself, the ground and the two posts.

[0048] The flexible band 2 is elastic. The band is made of a woven material. Thus, it is reusable. It is full part a training accessory that is easy to transport, tidy, and can constantly be re-used. The band is made of a woven material that includes an elastic material, like latex. For example, the band is made of nylon, polyester and latex.

[0049] The band 2 extends between two free ends 20 and 21. It shows two opposite sides 2A and 2B, wherein a front side 2A is designed to face the user, and the opposite side, called back side 2B, is designed to front the inner part of the goal 10.

[0050] The band 2 is flat. It is preferably less than 5 mm (ca. 2.5 mm) thick. It is ca. 5 cm wide, for example. It may be wider.

[0051] The length of the band 2 is adapted to the distance between the posts P1 and P2. It may be shorter than this distance: since it is elastic, it is able to stretch. In the following example of a training device 1 for a soccer goal, whose posts P1 and P2 can be 6m or 7.32m apart, the length of the band 2 can be 4m at rest and reach 8m when stretched.

[0052] The band 2 preferably includes visual locating means 22, such as patterns and/or coloured parts, whose colour is different from the rest of the band, in particular wherein the colours are bright and/or fluorescent. The visual locating means 22 allow the player to distinguish clearly the band from the environment of the goal.

[0053] The removable fixation means 3 and 4 make it possible to tie the training device 1 in an removable manner around each post P1 and P2. The removable fixation means 3 and 4 allow a strapping of the respective posts P1 and P2 by the band 2 and to maintain the band 2 fixed in position around the posts and at a distance from the ground.

[0054] The first removable fixation means 3 at the end 20 of the band and the second removable fixation means 4 at the opposite end 21 are distinct from the band 2 and are sewn on it, preferably in an irremovable manner.

[0055] In addition, in the displayed example, the first removable fixation means 3 and the second removable fixation means 4 are of distinct design.

[0056] The first removable fixation means 3 are secured in an irremovable manner to the distal end 20 of the band 2. The first removable fixation means 3 include a rigid plastic end part 30. The end part 30 has the shape of a loop with two buckles 31 and 32. The end part 30 is able to create a slipknot with the band 2.

[0057] The first buckle 31 is designed to secure the end part 30 with the band 2. The band 2 has been secured with the end part 30 in an irremovable manner when manufacturing the training device 1. As shown in the detail view of FIG. 4, the free end of band 2 was introduced through the first buckle 31, then folded and sewn.

[0058] The second belt loop 32, called tying buckle, is designed to tie and maintain the band around the post P1. After positioning the band 2 around said post, the tying buckle 32 makes it possible to pass the band 2 through in order to create a slipknot until tightening the post P1, as visible on the detail views of FIGS. 3 and 5. The rigid loop 30 provides quick and easy tightening of the band 2 around the post P1, securely, so that the band cannot fall off.

[0059] Both buckles are preferably rectangular.

[0060] The first removable fixation means 3 under the advantageous shape of the end part 30 lead to turn around the post as a slipknot with the band 2 and keep it in place (FIG. 3) with the possibility to pull on the band afterward until the other post without the risk that the band falls off the post.

[0061] The second removable fixation means 4 are located at the opposite end 21 of the band 2. In the example of FIG. 1, they are located in two distinct zones and on the same side of the band, i.e. the rear side 2B. The second removable fixation means include a first part 40 that is secured to the distal end 21 of the band, and a second part 41 that is apart from said first part 40, wherein both parts can be fixed in an removable way to each other by mutual cooperation.

[0062] As a preferential example, the first and second parts 40 and 41, respectively, of the second removable fixation means 4 are an attachment system by mutual cooperation in a male-female form-locked manner. In particular, they form a hook and loop attachment system of Velcro® type. One of the parts includes loops while the other one includes hooks. Each of the parts 40 and 41 forms a strip with a hook and loop attachment coating, which was preferably secured to the band 2.

[0063] The two parts 40 and 41 of the second removable fixation means 4 are separate by a distance that matches at least the perimeter of the post, preferably longer. The distance between the two parts 40 and 41 are, for example, ca. 30 to 40 cm. For example, each part 40 and 41 of the second removable fixation means 4 has an attachment length of ca. 15 cm.

[0064] The training device 1 can also include sensor able to provide various functions, such as sound warning functions and/or statistical data. The FIG. 4 schematically shows at least one sensor 6 that is secured to the band 2. Since the band is made of a woven material, the sensor(s) can be secured to the band by any process of the art that is used to link sensors to fabric (in a way integrated to the thickness of the fabric or to the threads, sewn on the fabric in an removable or irremovable manner, etc.) Sensors can be able to detect a shoot higher or lower than the band 2 and to deliver a sound warning of variable intensity, in particular for practicing ball sports by visually impaired persons. Sensors can also be able, for example, to get statistical data about the speed of the ball, the number of shootouts and their frequency. The sensors can be able to communicate their data through remote communication means, such as Bluetooth.

[0065] Here is the process for implementation of the training device 1.

[0066] The training device 1 does not take up a lot of place and can be completely coiled. When used, it is uncoiled as in FIG. 1.

[0067] The user holds the end 20 of the band 2 with the end part 30, puts the band 2 around the post P1 and introduces the band 2 by its opposite end 21 through the tying buckle 32 to form a strapping 50 as a slipknot, slides the rest of the band along all the length until closely strapping the post P1 (FIG. 3) while setting said band with its end part at any desired height on the post, wherein the height matches the delineation of the shooting zone 11 from the ground. The user tightens the band around the post P1 thanks to the end part 30 (FIG. 4), which holds firmly the band without the risk that it may slip.

[0068] Then, the user holds the other end 21 of the band 2, moves to the other post P2 (FIG. 5), which stretches the band 2, turns around said post P2 to create a strapping 51 and joins the distal end of the band with the first part 40 of the second removable fixation means 4 face to the second part 41. The user only has to put the first part 40 against the second part 41 (FIG. 6) to mate both parts 40 and 41, and thus to fix the band 2 onto the second post P2. The training device 1 is operational.

[0069] To dismantle the training device 1, the user unties the first part 40 of the second part 41 of the second removable fixation means 4, walks to the other post and pulls out the band 2 from the tying buckle 32.

[0070] Hence, the training device 1 provides a clear delineation of the zone that the players have to shoot at. Its design guarantees quick and easy implementation, and uninstallation just as quick. The training device 1 allows its installation at any desired height. The person who sets up the device can be alone and needs no help. The training device 1 is very compact when not in use. The elasticity of the band makes it possible to easily adapt various distances between posts and it guarantees that a goalkeeper in front of the goal won't tear off the device and get hurt.

[0071] In addition, the preferential mode of fixing by an end piece with a buckle guarantees a firm fixing around one of the posts thanks to a slipknot and prevents the band from sliding when in use. This mode of setting guarantees a very good tightening while providing very good maintain around the post when the band is under strain (ball disturbing the band at a shootout, goalkeeper lying down on the band). The tying to the other post with a hook and loop attachment system is quick and there is no risk of snag when not in use, contrarily to snap fasteners.

[0072] In an embodiment as shown in the FIG. 7, the training device 1 can include parts 7 as targets or zone delineations, which can be hung to the band 2. The parts can be made of fabric or of a semi-rigid or rigid material light enough not to make the band collapse when in position of installation. The parts 7 are not necessarily square- or rectangular-shaped. The parts 7 can be fixed to the band 2 in an removable manner. For example, a part 7 can be fixed by passing the band 2 through the adequate holes and positioned at the upper part of the part, or a part 7 can be fixed by a hook and loop attachment system (of Velcro® type). As a variant, the part 7 can be fixed in an irremovable manner to the band 2. For example, it can be sewn.