Field

[1] The present invention relates generally to a sports training device. In

particular, it relates to an attachment which can attach a target at a variety of locations, and methods related thereto.

Background

[2] In many sports, a player needs to accurately throw, kick, hit, or shoot a projectile to a specific location in a goal. To illustrate, in soccer, there are locations in a goal that are very difficult for the goalie to defend, e.g. upper comers of the goal. During practice, players drill to improve their accuracy by aiming at a physical practice target. The target visually focuses their attention to the point of interest. The physical practice targets are removable as they are not used in actual game play. The practice target is transported to the practice site and attached to the goal in one or more positions during a drill. The target may be reattached during the session to practice aiming at different locations in the goal.

Summary

[2] A target for sport training device includes a frame and a support structure positioned within the frame. In combination, the support structure and frame have a cross-sectional area such that thickness tapers away from the mount.

[3] The target further includes a sheet bonded to the frame and the support structure. The sheet, the frame, and the support structure may be formed from a unitary substrate, e.g. an elastomer. The sheet covers a portion of the support structure providing some rigidity.

[4] The support structure may be a spoked web, a regular or irregular mesh.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[5] FIG. 1 illustrates a sports training device having a target.

[6] FIGs. 2A- 2C illustrates the target shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A shows a front view of the target, e.g. a circle. FIG. 2B shows the support structure of the target. FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view along line A-B of the target.

[7] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the sheet.

[8] FIGs. 4A-B illustrate alternate embodiments for the support structure. FIG.

4A shows a large mesh having material from the support structure removed. FIG. 4B shows a fine mesh.

[9] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment where the sheet incorporates the

functionality of the frame and support structure.

Detailed Description

[10] The present invention relates to a sports training device. More specifically, it relates to a portable and practice target device that may be attached to an in situ support at a variety of locations to enable an individual to independently practice and improve throwing, kicking, or shooting accuracy of projectiles.

[11] FIG. 1 illustrates a sports training device. The device 10 includes a target 12 having a mounting arm 12A and an attachment 14. In combination, the

mounting arm 12A and the attachment 14 form a mounting attachment.

[12] The practice target device disclosed is not limited to mounting to a sports goal, nor is it limited for use during practice. The practice target can also be mounted to any designated location such as a pole, which may be horizontal, vertical or angled, where a person wishes to mark for aim such as in Frisbee golf or a game of horse. The target has a varying Young’s modulus. The Young’s modulus is high proximate to the mounting arm and decreases as one moves across the target, e.g. further away from the mounting arm.

[13] FIGs. 2A- 2C illustrates the target shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2A shows a front view of the target, e.g. a circle. FIG. 2B shows the support structure of the target. FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view along line A-B of the target.

[14] In FIG. 2B, the support structure has a skeleton and a frame. The frame provides support along the perimeter while the webbing provides internal support and target integrity recovery. The support structure contains sufficient material to be flexible upon impact and to recover from the impact. An optional sheet covers a portion of the skeleton and the frame. The sheet may add rigidity to the support structure. [15] In FIG. 2C, the illustrative embodiment shows the support structure tapers in thickness away from the mounting arm. To vary the Young’s modulus, it is thickest proximate the mounting arm, point A, and thinnest at the edge of the target distal from the mounting arm, point B. The thickness range depends on the material used for the target. When an elastomer is used, the thickness at point B is ranges in thickness between x-y% of the thickness point A.

[16] In one embodiment, the support structure and sheet are formed from a unitary substrate. In another embodiment the frame and the sheet are formed from a unitary substrate and the skeleton is snugly positioned within the frame.

[17] The elastomer is defined as a polymer which can reversibly extend 5-700%.

The measure of hardness, and resistance to deformation (elastic modulus) for elastic polymer can be quantified by the Shore durometer or durometer reading. The term refers to the measurement as well as the instrument itself. Durometer A and

Durometer D are different scales for targeting elastomers for different uses. A larger force is applied during a measurement of Durometer D compared to Durometer A, thus Durometer D scale values indicate more resistant or harder material for the same reading as Durometer A. Within each scale, a larger number indicates harder or more resistant material.

[18] Elastomers with a Durometer A readings of approximately 80A to 120A or a Durometer D reading of 35D to 70D are suitable for the mounting arm. Some examples of elastomers with durometers within this range include polyurethane, latex (natural or synthetic rubber emulsion), natural rubber, polychloroprene, e.g.

Neoprene®, EPDM rubber (ethylene proplylene diene monomer (M-class) rubber), synthetic rubber, and fluoropolymer elastomers such as Yiton®, and TPE (thermal plastic elastomers) such as Santoprene®. The elastomer may be a solid film, molded foam or other.

[19] The elastomeric material is best to have reasonable tolerance of environmental hazards such as wind, water, ice, chlorine, salt, sunlight, heat, and cold. It should not crack or fade after reasonable use. For ease of manufacturing, the material is easily colored and cut. It can be stable over temperature such that it does not sag or fold on a hot summer day or become hard and brittle on a cold winter day. Other properties such as tear resistance and toughness are also important. Other components may be integrated in the elastomer material to improve its mechanical properties for use. To illustrate, cloth or fiber matrix, e.g. cotton, polyester, or fiberglass, may be formed within an elastomer material of any of the aforementioned base elastomers for improving tear resistance of the fabricated mounting arm. An elastomeric stiffener may be added for stability and faster return after a projectile hit.

[20] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the sheet. The material between the webbing has been removed to lighten the target, as indicated by the holes. The holes do not all have to the same shape. Material can be removed as long as the structural integrity of the target is maintained. The material restricts the collapsing of the webbing upon itself.

[21] FIGs. 4A-C illustrate alternate embodiments for the support structure. In FIGs. 4A and 4B, the support structure may be a mesh. FIG. 4A shows a large mesh having material from the support structure removed. The material required to maintain the structural integrity of the target is inversely proportional to the coarseness of the mesh. FIG. 4B shows a fine mesh. The sheet allows for an aerated printing surface while a coarse mesh allows for a solid printing surface.

[22] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment where the sheet incorporates the

functionality of the frame and support structure. Material may be removed to as needed to adjust the Young’s modulus similar to FIGs. 4A and 4B.

[23] Variations of the present invention have been described herein. However, it should be understood that the variations are illustrative examples of the present invention and many possible specific variations can represent applications of the principles of the invention. While certain components are shown and preferred for the attachment, it is foreseeable that functionally equivalent components could be used or subsequently developed to perform the intended functions of the disclosed

components.

[24] It is also to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to particular methods or systems, which can, of course, vary. To illustrate, the person skilled in the art will understand that the number of steps or components shown is only indicative and that the method can occur in more or fewer steps and that the system may contain more or less components according to the various embodiments. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. [25] Various modifications pertaining to this present invention by one skilled in the art are deemed within the spirit and scope of this invention as defined in the detailed description and claims. Therefore, while the invention has been described in terms of some variations, it is apparent that other forms could be adopted by one skilled in the art, and the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.

[26] In another variation, the target face and mounting arm are integrated as one continuous piece with the same or different thickness and/or material properties such as durometer. Any portion of the target face and mounting arm may have one or more additional sheets of elastomeric or other material attached to it by gluing, lamination, stitching, or other methods.