WO2001037948A1 | 2001-05-31 |
US4703931A | 1987-11-03 | |||
US6142892A | 2000-11-07 |
1. | Ball returning device, for use in relation to goals for ball shooting, especially football goals, for returning a ball to a player when the ball hits the ball returning device (1), wherein there is arranged an elastic organ (2) giving a net (6) elastic features, characterized in that the ball returning device (1) comprises an existing, common ball goal and at least one elastic fastening device (2) on each side, arranged to be strapped to the net of the goal, such that it performs an elastic force against the back wall of the goal, generally in a direction perpendicular to the opening of the goal. |
2. | Ball returning device according to claim 1, characterized in that six elastic fastening devices (2) are used to achieve the returning effect, wherein two elastic fastening devices (2) are fastened in each of the sidewalls of the net and two elastic fastening devices (2) are fastened in the roof of the net. |
3. | Ball returning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic fastening device (2) preferably comprises a loop (7) made of an elastic material, and that there on this loop (7) is fastened at least two attaching devices (8) for attaching the elastic fastening device (2) to the net (6). |
4. | Ball returning device according to claim 1 and 3, characterized in that the elastic fastening device (2) has a tubular protective sleeve (9) arranged around a central part. |
5. | Facility for returning a ball by means of a goal for ball shooting, especially football goals, characterized in that it comprises a longitudinal, elastic organ (2) having an attaching device (8) at each end for hooking on the sides and/or the top of the net (6) of the ball goal. |
6. | Use of an elastic fastening device (2) with an attaching device (8) at each end, for hooking it on a ball goal, especially a football goal, to give a ball returning effect by shooting at the goal. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 19 November 2001 (19.11.2001)] 1. Ball returning device, for use in relation to goals for ball shooting, especially football goals, for returning a ball to a player when the ball hits the ball returning device (1), wherein there is arranged an elastic organ (2) giving a net (6) elastic features, characterized in that the ball returning device (1) comprises an existing, common ball goal and at least one elastic fastening device (2) on each side, arranged to be strapped to the net of the goal, such that it performs an elastic force against the back wall of the existing goal, generally in a direction perpendicular to the opening of the goal. |
7. | 2 Ball returning device according to claim 1, characterized in that six elastic fastening devices (2) are used to achieve the returning effect, wherein two elastic fastening devices (2) are fastened in each of the sidewalls of the existing net and two elastic fastening devices (2) are fastened in the roof of the existing net. |
8. | 3 Ball returning device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic fastening device (2) preferably comprises a loop (7) made of an elastic material, and that there on this loop (7) is fastened at least two attaching devices (8) for attaching the elastic fastening device (2) to the exesting net (6). |
9. | 4 Ball returning device according to claim 1 and 3, characterized in that the elastic fastening device (2) has a tubular protective sleeve (9) arranged around a central part. |
10. | 5 Facility for returning a ball by means of a goal for ball shooting, especially football goals, characterized in that it comprises a longitudinal, elastic organ (2) having an attaching device (8) at each end for hooking on the sides and/or the top of the net (6) of the ball existing goal. |
11. | 6 Use of an elastic fastening device (2) with an attaching device (8) at each end, for hooking it on a common ball goal, especially a football goal, to give a ball returning effect by shooting at the existing goal. |
Background There are several known devices for returning a ball in relation to different ball games.
In US 4,286,786 (Papadopoulos) there is described a specially designed football goal provided with a plate, wherein the angle of the plate is adjustable. By kicking the ball towards the goal, the ball hits the net either directly or via the plate. The velocity of the ball is reduced by the net, whereafter the ball falls down onto the plate and rolls out of the goal.
In GB 2293327 (Edwards) there is described a football net having different zones for practising purposes. The net is fastened by elastic straps to ensure that the net is hanging vertically, and to ensure that it is possible to see the symbols indicating the different zones at any one time.
In US 4,239,235 (Torres) there is described a ball returning device for practising purposes. The invention comprises an inductile net fixed between two or more rectilinear, semi-rigid poles having elastic tightening elements.
In US 5,664,784 (Redlich) there is described a net system for ball training. The net is fastened to an opening in a garage or the like, and has an adjustable strap regulating the bounce of the net.
In US 5,615,889 (Long) there is described a practising net to be fastened to an already existing goal. The net comprises a mainly non-elastic material, and it is fastened to the poles of the goal by means of straps having adjustable tightening.
Consequently, it is known to design devices, in the shape of nets provided with poles and/or cross members, together with straps, to return a ball to a ball player. It is also known to fasten an extra net to the poles and/or cross member of an existing goal.
The disadvantage of existing ball returning devices is the demand for much equipment.
Either, the ball returning device comprises a specially constructed goal or a separate framework to be set up together with the net, and/or an extra net has to be fastened and tightened to the existing goal, to achieve the returning effect. The extra equipment is expensive and the setup is time consuming.
Object of the invention An object of the present invention is to provide a ball returning device which can return a ball in different ways from a goal, such that one can practice shooting, reception and parrying of a ball at different heights, reception of a bouncing ball etc. At the same time, it is an object that a player can perform the setup alone, and thereafter perform the practising alone or together with others, at a high level of activity, since the breaks caused by fetching the ball from the goal are avoided.
Furthermore, there is an object of the invention to provide a ball returning device able to utilize the equipment already existing on a practising field to a high degree, in such a way that the need of extra poles, nets, etc is avoided.
Still further, there is an object of the invention to provide a ball returning device, where the extra equipment needed is lightweight and occupies little space, and which can be set up and dismounted quickly. At the same time, there is an object that the returning effect can be adjusted for different exercises.
The invention The invention is described in the characterizing part of claim 1. The objects of the invention above are achieved having features as described. Further features of the invention are stated in the dependent claims.
Example The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a ball returning device according to the invention.
Fig. 2 shows an elastic tightening device according to the invention from above; and Fig. 3 shows a sideview of an elastic tightening device according to the invention.
In the following, a ball returning device 1 is described with reference to Fig. 1.
According to the invention, the ball returning device 1 comprises an already existing goal and at least one elastic tightening device 2 on each side. The already existing goal may have several embodiments, but the goal as utilized herein, is preferably comprised of two poles 3,4 forming the sides of the goal, and a cross member 5 making the upper edge of the goal, together with a net 6 attached to the poles 3,4 and the cross member 5. The poles 3,4 and the cross member 5 are preferably made of a rigid material.
The net 6 is fixed to the ground at the rear edge and the side edges, directly by means of fixing means (not shown), or by means of two poles (not shown), which then are fixed to the poles 3,4 and the cross member 5.
Reference is now made to Fig. 2 and 3, which show an example of the elastic fastening device 2. Said device 2 comprises an elastic loop 7 and at least two attaching devices 8. The elastic loop 7 is made of any elastic material, i. e. rubber. The attaching device 8 can be any attaching device capable of being attached to the net (for example a hook), and at the same time being attached to the elastic loop 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the attaching device is a metal clasp that can engage with a web of the net 6.
Referring back to Fig. 1, several elastic fastening devices 2 are attached to the goal to achieve the desired returning effect. By regulating fastening of the elastic fastening devices 2 (that is changing the number of webs embraced by the fastening device 2) the returning effect can be adjusted. Accordingly, various ball exercises and different degrees of difficulty are achieved.
In the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1, six elastic fastening devices 2 are preferably used to achieve the returning effect, where two elastic fastening devices 2 are fastened in each of the net sheets forming the side of the ball returning device 1, and two elastic fastening devices 2 are fastened in the net 6 forming the roof of the ball returning device 1.
When a ball now hits the middle of the ball returning device 1, the ball will return directly, and a player can practice direct shooting, ball reception etc. If the ball hits high up in the net 6, the ball will be returned down towards the ground and bounce back to the player, and accordingly, the player can practice shooting and ball reception when the ball is at a height above the ground. Standing on the other side of the ball returning device 1, one can independently practice e. g. headers, when the ball hits the net 6, the ball is returned upwards.
In this way several practising possibilities are achieved.
Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, a protecting mantle 9 can be laid outside the elastic fastening device 2 (shown in Fig. 2 and 3). The protecting mantle 9 as illustrated is a kind of sleeve surrounding the elastic fastening device 2. The protecting mantle 9 has no influence on the returning effect from the elastic fastening device 2, but protects large parts of the elastic material in the loop 7 against wear. At the same time, by virtue of mantle 9, the elastic fastening device does not easily hook itself into other elastic fastening devices or other equipment during storage, transport etc.
The elastic fastening device 2 can have other embodiments. For example, it can be a simple elastic organ having a catch in each end, either an elastic band or a screw spring.
Also several more attaching devices than shown can be used for attachment to the webs in the net 6, such that an elastic fastening device can fasten a larger part of the net.
Consequently, several protecting mantles 9 can be used for protection of the different areas of the elastic loop.
The invention is described with particular reference to a football goal. It can also be used with other ball games, particularly handball.
The ball returning device according to the invention can also be used from the reverse side. As such, it is particularly suitable for goalkeeper practise, since the ball is returned with at higher returning curve than by normal shooting at goal.