Abstract
A goal post retention device, comprising a body having a first member and a second member, wherein the first and second members are integral with one another, the first member comprising a first semi-open cylinder having a top planar annular surface, the cylinder having a first outer diameter, the second member arranged beneath and concentric with the first member, the second member comprising a semi-open cylinder having a second outer diameter which is larger than the first outer diameter, the semi-open cylinder having a bottom rim and a frustoconical inner surface extending upwardly from the bottom rim, the semi-open cylinder having a top annular surface. In one embodiment, a pike extends downwardly within the second member, extending slightly below the bottom rim.
Claims
1. A goal post retention device, comprising: a body having a first member and a second member, wherein said first and second members are integral with one another; said first member comprising a first semi-open cylinder having a top planar annular surface, said cylinder having a first outer diameter, said first member having a counter-bore that opens upwardly; said second member arranged beneath and concentric with said first member, said second member comprising a semi-open cylinder having a second outer diameter which is larger than said first outer diameter of said first member, said semi-open cylinder having a bottom rim and a frustoconical inner surface extending upwardly from said bottom rim, said semi-open cylinder having a top planar annular surface, said second member having a counter-bore that opens downwardly.
2. The goal post retention device recited in claim 1, wherein said semi-open cylinder comprises an inner upper annular surface.
3. The goal post retention device recited in claim 2, wherein said semi-open cylinder further comprises a conically shaped spike extending downwardly to a point from said inner upper annular surface.
4. The goal post retention device recited in claim 3, wherein said conically shaped pike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and, said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper annular surface, wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance.
5. The goal post retention device recited in claim 3, wherein said conically shaped pike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper circular surface, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance.
6. A goal post retention device, comprising: a body comprising a semi-open cylinder having a bottom rim and a frustoconical inner surface extending upwardly from said bottom rim, said semi-open cylinder having a top annular surface.
7. The goal post retention device recited in claim 6, wherein said semi-open cylinder comprises an inner upper annular surface.
8. The goal post retention device recited in claim 7, wherein said semi-open cylinder further comprises a conically shaped spike extending downwardly to a point from said inner upper annular surface.
9. The goal post retention device recited in claim 8, wherein said conically shaped spike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper annular surface, wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance.
10. The goal post retention device recited in claim 8, wherein said conically shaped spike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper annular surface, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance.
11. A goal post retention device, comprising: a body having a first member and a second member, wherein said first and second members are integral with one another; said first member comprising a cylinder having a top planar surface, said cylinder having a first outer diameter; said second member arranged beneath and concentric with said first member, said second member comprising a semi-open cylinder having a second outer diameter which is larger than said first outer diameter of said first member, said semi-open cylinder having a bottom rim and a frustoconical inner surface extending upwardly from said bottom rim, said semi-open cylinder having a top planar annular surface, said second member having a counter-bore that opens downwardly.
12. The goal post retention device recited in claim 11, wherein said semi-open cylinder of said second member comprises an inner upper annular surface.
13. The goal post retention device recited in claim 12, wherein said semi-open cylinder of said second member further comprises a conically shaped spike extending downwardly to a point from said inner upper annular surface.
14. The goal post retention device recited in claim 13, wherein said conically shaped pike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and, said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper annular surface, wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance.
15. The goal post retention device recited in claim 13, wherein said conically shaped pike extends downwardly a first distance from said inner upper annular surface and said bottom rim extends downwardly a second distance from said inner upper circular surface, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The present invention is depicted in the following drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a typical goal assembly releasably secured to the ice using the present invention, and also showing a goalie in position in front of the goal assembly;
[0018] FIG. 1B is a top view of the goal assembly shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 2A is a view similar to that of FIG. 1A where the goalie is performing a drill that causes his left leg pad to impart a force to the left goal post;
[0020] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the left goal post and left leg pad shown in FIG. 2A;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front top perspective view of the goal post retention device of the present invention, shown affixed to the ice;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view of the goal post retention device shown in FIG. 3;
[0023] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the goal post retention device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, taken generally along line 5A-5A in FIG. 4;
[0024] FIG. 5B is a view similar to that of FIG. 5A, except showing side post 110 in place atop goal post retention device 300;
[0025] FIG. 6A is a front bottom perspective view of the goal post retention device shown in FIG. 3;
[0026] FIG. 6B is yet another front top perspective view of the goal post retention device, similar to the view of FIG. 3, except shown without the ice;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a front view of the goal post retention device of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a top view of the goal post retention device of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the goal post retention device of the present invention; and,
[0030] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front view of the goal post retention device of the present invention, taken generally along line 10-10 in FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Adverting now to the drawings, FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a typical goal assembly 100 releasably secured to the ice (not shown) using the present invention, and also showing a goalie 200 in position in front of the goal assembly. Goalie 200 is seen to be wearing typical goalie equipment, including helmet 205, blocker pad 210, glove 240, and leg pad 230, and is holding hockey stick 220. The goalie is guarding goal assembly 100, which broadly comprises goal post 120, including side post 110, net 130 affixed to the goal post and net skirting 140. As is well known, the goalie's job is to protect the goal and prevent the opposing team from shooting a puck into the net. This highly specialized position requires extensive training. As described previously, goalies typically train by practicing a wide variety of drills. But hockey is a contact sport, especially during live games. The forces exerted by the goalie and other players alike, in proximity to the goal, could cause considerable injury should the goal post be fixedly secured to the ice. Thus, goal post assemblies are releasably secured to the ice using a variety of pegs. These pegs are specially designed to withstand the normal forces associated with play, but break away the goal post when excessive force is exerted to prevent injury. Unfortunately, the forces exerted by the goalie during training exercises often exceeds those forces exerted during normal play, causing the goal assembly to become dislodged from the ice and disrupting the training exercises.
[0032] FIG. 1B is a top view of the goal post assembly and goalie shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the goalie during a training exercise, where he is exerting both a lateral force FL and a rearward force FR on left side post 110. The object of the present invention is to secure the goal post and goal assembly to the ice during these routine drills. The goalie has pivoted a full 90 degrees from his starting position in FIG. 2A and is exerting a force on side post 110 with his left leg pad 230, as shown more clearly in FIG. 2B. Of course, the goalie also exerts similar forces on the right goal post as well during training.
[0033] A preferred embodiment of the goal post retention device of the present invention is illustrated in front top perspective view in FIG. 3. In this view, device 300 is shown secured to ice 303. The device is shown to comprise two members which, in a preferred embodiment, are integral with one another. First member 302 mounts in the ice. Emanating upwardly from first member 302 is second member 301. Second member 301 includes outer cylindrical surface 304, inner cylindrical surface 305, top annular surface 314, and aperture 306. The inner diameter of first member 301 is sized to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of side post 110, in order to hold the post within the counter-bore 306 of the member.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 3, taken generally along line 5A-5A in FIG. 4. This view shows counter-bore 306 in member 301 as described above. Also shown is inner frustoconical surface 309 at the bottom of member 301, forming the counter-bore. Member 301 is shown to be generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical surface 304 and an inner cylindrical surface 305. Second member 302, which, in a preferred embodiment, is integral with first member 301, is seen to include upper annular surface 310, lower annular surface 316, rim section 307 which includes outer cylindrical surface 311 and inner frustoconical surface 312. Center spike 308 is seen to be extending downwardly from lower annular surface 316. In a preferred embodiment, the spike is concentric with respect to both the first and second members. Also, in a preferred embodiment, first member 301 is hollow, having a counter-bore therein, but it should be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that member 301 could be a solid cylinder as well. Also in a preferred embodiment, the surface of ice 303 is located about above top surface 310 of second member 302. This may be accomplished by squirting water where the side of the device meets the surface of the ice to cause ice to build up about the top of the second member. FIG. 5B is a view similar to that of FIG. 5A, except showing side post 110 in place atop goal post retention device 300. In this view it is seen that the inner diameter of side post 110 is larger than the outer diameter of first member 301, such that the post telescopingly engages the member.
[0035] FIG. 6A illustrates the retention device of the present invention in front lower perspective view. This view clearly shows concentric spike 308 extending downwardly from annular surface 316 of second member 302, and also show frustoconical inner surface 312 of rim 307. FIG. 6B is a view similar to that of FIG. 6A, except showing the device in front upper view. This view clearly shows aperture 306 of first member 301, arranged to hold side post 110 of the goal post.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a front view of device 300. This view is intended to show that point 317 of spike 308 extends a distance d below rim 315. In a preferred embodiment this distance is approximately 0.040 but other distances would also be functional, although the inventor finds that the device (peg) works best if the spike extends below the lower rim. FIG. 8 is a top view of device 300 and FIG. 9 is a bottom view of device 300.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional front view of device 300, taken generally along line 10-10 in FIG. 9. Although the claims of the present patent are not intended to be limited to a device having specific dimensions, approximate representative dimensions of a preferred embodiment of the device are provided here to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. These dimensions are representative only and may be varied by those having ordinary skill in the art. It is preferred however, and claimed, that d.sub.1<d.sub.2. In a preferred embodiment d.sub.1 is approximately 38 mm, d.sub.2 is approximately 64 mm, d.sub.3 is approximately 47 mm, d.sub.5 is approximately 14 mm, and d.sub.4 is approximately 61 mm and distance d is approximately 0.040 as described previously. Also, in a preferred embodiment, angle is approximately 18 degrees, angle is approximately 30 degrees, and angle is approximately 108 degrees. Again, these specific angles are representative only, and other angles are possible without adversely affecting function. It is important, however that surfaces 312 and 313 slope away from each other. For example, as best seen in FIG. 5A, surface 312 slopes downwardly and outwardly, whereas surface 313 slopes downwardly and inwardly.
[0038] Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed.
REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0039] 100 goal assembly [0040] 110 side post [0041] 120 goal post [0042] 130 net [0043] 140 net skirting [0044] 200 goalie [0045] 205 helmet [0046] 210 blocker pad [0047] 220 hockey stick [0048] 230 leg pad [0049] 240 glove [0050] 300 goal post retention device [0051] 301 first member [0052] 302 second member [0053] 303 ice [0054] 304 outer cylindrical surface [0055] 305 inner cylindrical surface [0056] 306 counter-bore [0057] 307 rim section of second member [0058] 308 center spike [0059] 309 inner frustoconical surface of first member [0060] 310 top annular surface of second member [0061] 311 outer cylindrical surface of second member [0062] 312 frustoconical inner surface of rim [0063] 313 center spike frustoconical surface [0064] 314 top annular surface [0065] 315 bottom rim [0066] 316 bottom annular surface of second member [0067] 317 point of spike
