Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Practice or training device
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-04
2003-05-27
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Practice or training device
C473S423000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06569041
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field Of The Invention
The present invention deals with the field of devices for sports training. In particular this device is usable for training of those individuals playing ice hockey wherein skating while simultaneously stick handling and shooting of a puck is an important skill to be learned.
2. Description Of The Prior Art
Numerous training devices for ice hockey and similar sports have been patented such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,335 patented Jun. 22, 1971 to J. D'Antonio, Sr. on a “Golf Practice Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,489 patented Jan. 9, 1973 to T. Holleran et al on a “Hockey Skill-Testing, Practice And Game Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,794,318 patented Feb. 26, 1974 to L. Holmes on a “Hockey Puck Practice Shooting Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,815 patented May 11, 1976 to G. Deschesnes on a “Hockey Training Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,017 patented Jan. 24, 1978 to R. Lombardi on a “Hockey Practice Shooter”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,842 patented Aug. 26, 1986 to R. Daoust on an “Exercising Apparatus For Use By Hockey Players To Practice Their Slap And Wrist-Shots”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,641 patented May 5, 1987 to L. Peyret, Jr. on a “Golf Club Swing Training Device And Method”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,872 patented Oct. 25, 1988 to D. Bisbee on a “Golf Swing Alignment Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,451 patented Dec. 3, 1991 to K. Martens et al on a “Hockey Practice Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,263 patented Aug. 18, 1992 to A. Feo and assigned to May Lee Feo on a “Golf Swing Alignment Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,799 patented Nov. 10, 1992 to M. Nandra on a “Hockey Practice Apparatus Kit”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,821 patented Jul. 13, 1993 to J. Murphy et al and assigned to Stickmaster, Inc. on a “Hockey Training Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,797 patented Oct. 5, 1993 to W. Dowhy on a “Hockey Training Apparatus”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,958 patented Nov. 14, 1995 to P. Brun on an “Off-Ice Hockey Shooting Practice Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,652 patented Apr. 23, 1996 to E. Woronets on a “Hockey Practice Alley”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,386 patented May 28, 1996 to J. Sasko on a “Hockey Stick Training Weight”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,481 patented Dec. 17, 1996 to M. Caluori et al and assigned to Michael J. Caluori on “Training Accessories For Goal-Making Games”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,197 patented Nov. 18, 1997 to P. Peeters et al on a “Method And Apparatus For Training Goalkeepers”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,007 patented Jul. 7, 1998 to G. Kendall et al and assigned to George Kendall on a “Putting Practice Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,945 patented Oct. 6, 1998 to P. Todd et al on a “Hockey Training Device”; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,511 patented Mar. 28, 2000 to R. Bullock on a “Hockey Training Apparatus”.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a uniquely configured ice hockey training apparatus which is usable particularly for increasing strength, balance and accuracy in shooting and stick handling of the user.
The apparatus includes a main framework which has an upper bar member which is longitudinally extensible to facilitate use of the apparatus by users of different sizes which would require different lengths of movement of the stick head during shooting or stick handling exercises. The main framework also includes a first support member which is detachably securable with respect to the upper bar member in order to support it above the ground surface therebelow. In a preferred configuration this first support member will include a first leg extending downwardly from the upper bar member to facilitate support thereof in spaced relation from the environmental surface in order to facilitate defining of a practicing zone therebeneath. A second leg will also be preferably included extending downwardly from the upper bar to facilitate support thereof in spaced relation to the environmental structure in order to facilitate defining of the practicing zone therebeneath. This second leg will extend outwardly away from the first leg in order to define a guide orifice therebetween which is adapted to receive the longitudinally extending member therethrough. In this manner the longitudinal member will be guided from a fixed securement exterior to the main framework to a position within the practicing zone defined therein.
A second support member is also preferably detachably securable with respect to the upper bar member at a position spatially disposed from the first support member for further supporting thereof above the ground surface. This first support member and the second support member together define a practicing zone therebeneath at a position below the upper bar in order to facilitate use of the ice hockey training apparatus of the present invention.
A longitudinal device is preferably included secured to an environmental member or other external member such that it extends into the practicing zone between the first support and the second support below the upper bar member. This longitudinal bar is flexibly resilient longitudinally and preferably includes a knot means tied therein to facilitate restricted attachment and detachment thereof to the apertures defined in the blade means.
The apparatus of the present invention further includes a training stick which includes a handle capable of being grasped by a user during training. Such handles often include tape wound therearound to facilitate gripping. The blades of hockey sticks are often removable from the handles of currently used sticks and the unique head of the present invention is usable with a conventional or standard stick or can be used with a training stick if desired. The training or standard stick further includes a blade fixedly secured to the handle which is adapted to be moved within the practicing zone beneath the upper bar member and between the first support member and the second support member in order to enhanced development of strength, balance and accuracy in stick handling by the user. The blade defines at least one aperture therein. The blade is adapted to receive the longitudinal linear device extending through the aperture defined therein to facilitate detachable securement therewith. The longitudinal means provides flexible resilience to movement of the blade of the training or standard stick within the practicing zone in such a manner as to increase the strength, balance and accuracy in shooting and stick handling of a user.
The blade preferably includes a heel section adjacent the handle. This heel section defines the aperture in such a manner as to include a heel aperture which has a narrowed heel opening area in the region thereof closest to the handle in order to facilitate retaining of the longitudinal device within the heel aperture during proper practice shooting. Such proper practice shooting occurs when the tip portion of the blade is turned over downwardly during the follow through after a practice shot. The heel aperture further includes a widened heel opening area in the region thereof most distant from the handle in order to facilitate release of the longitudinal device from the heel aperture during improper practicing shooting wherein the tip section of the blade is turned facing upwardly during the follow through after a practice shot. The heel aperture defined in the heel section of the blade is preferably shaped similar to teardrop with the widest area closest to the tip area and the narrowest area thereof closest to the handle to facilitate release of the longitudinal device therefrom responsive to an improper shot follow through and to facilitate retaining of the longitudinal device therewithin responsive to proper shot follow through.
The tip section is further included spatially disposed distant from the handle and the heel area. The tip defines the aperture means such as to include a tip aperture. The tip aperture includes a narrowed tip opening area in the region thereof closest to the handle to facilitate retaining of the longitudinal means within the tip aperture
Chambers M.
Sewell Paul T.
Sperry, Zoda & Kane
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