Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Goal or target structure for projectile; element thereof
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-03
2001-03-13
Pierce, William M. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Goal or target structure for projectile; element thereof
C473S478000, C473S446000, C472S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06200235
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a net set which can be attached to a swing set to enable the swing set to be used as a soccer goal and a method for attaching the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Soccer has become a popular sport activity for children and adults alike as an extracurricular community activity as well as an extracurricular activity at school. As the popularity of the sport has grown, so to has the number of devices available for practicing soccer skills at home. Among these devices are stand alone soccer goals complete with a frame and net. Although these stand alone devices are useful, they can be rather expensive and are just one more item to clutter up a yard, garage or basement. Of all these items, some expensive, some not, purchased over time, very few, if any, of these items are adapted for alternative uses. Swing sets are of particular note because they are often elaborate and expensive, they take up a large amount of space in a yard and have a rather limited period of use.
Therefore, a need is identified to design a device which enables someone to practice soccer skills, or any other game ball skills requiring a back stop, and which serves to expand the immediate usefulness of a swing set and to extend the useful lifetime of a swing set by readily and inexpensively converting the swing set into a soccer goal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a net set which can be attached to a swing set to enable the swing set to be used as a back stop for a game ball.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a net set which can be attached to a swing set to enable the swing set to be used as a soccer goal.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a net set adaptable for use with a variety of swing sets and attachable thereto to enable the swing sets to be used as back stops for game balls.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method for converting a swing set into a soccer goal or other game ball back stop by attaching an adaptable net set to a swing set.
During the period when children are still using a swing set, by using the net set of the invention, the swing set can be temporarily converted to a back stop or goal for game balls, including soccer balls and then easily changed back to a swing set. After the children have grown out of their backyard swing set, instead of throwing the swing set away as usually happens, the swing set can remain useful as a soccer goal simply by converting the swing set using the net set of the invention.
A preferred embodiment of the net set of this invention for use with a swing set which enables the swing set to be used as a soccer goal, comprises: a back net piece with at least two substantially vertical side edges and one substantially horizontal top edge; two side net pieces each attached to the back piece along at least one of the side edges; a net top piece attached to the back piece along the top edge; and one or more means for removably attaching one or more of the net pieces to the swing set. The side net pieces preferably have a trapezoidal-shaped perimeter with a top edge and the net top piece has a front edge, a back edge and two opposing side edges, wherein the side edges of the top piece are removably attached to the top edge of the side net pieces. The side edges of the top piece are preferably removably attached to the top edge of the side net pieces by one or more of the means for removably attaching the net pieces to the swing set.
The net set preferably comprises one or more means for anchoring one or more of the net pieces to the surface on which the swing is located and the net pieces comprise a plastic material. In addition one or more of the means for removably attaching the net pieces to the swing set may comprise a hook and loop material.
Another preferred embodiment of the net set of the invention for a swing set located on a surface which enables the swing set to be used as a back stop for a game ball, comprises: a back net piece with at least two substantially vertical side edges and one substantially horizontal top edge; two side net pieces each attached to the back piece along at least one of the side edges; a net top piece attached to the back piece along the top edge; one or more means for removably attaching one or more of the net pieces to the swing set; and one or more means for anchoring one or more of the net pieces to the surface. Similar to the first described embodiment, the side net pieces may have a trapezoidal-shaped perimeter with a top edge and the top piece has a front edge, a back edge and two opposing side edges, wherein the side edges of the top piece are removably attached to the top edge of the side net pieces by one or more of the means for removably attaching the net pieces to the swing set.
One or more of the means for removably attaching the net pieces to the swing set may comprise a hook and loop material, rope or twine and the net pieces preferably comprise a plastic material.
Yet another preferred embodiment of the net set of the invention for a swing set which enables the swing set to be used as a soccer goal, comprises: a back net piece with at least two substantially vertical side edges and one substantially horizontal top edge; a plurality of side net pieces each attached to the back piece along at least one of the side edges; one or more net top pieces attached to the back piece along the top edge; and one or more means for removably attaching one or more of the side net pieces to one or more of the net top pieces and for removably attaching one or more of the net pieces to the swing set; wherein the side net pieces have a trapezoidal-shaped perimeter with a top edge; the net top piece has a front edge, a back edge and two opposing side edges and wherein the side edges of the top piece are removably attached to the top edge of the side net pieces with one or more of the means for removably attaching one or more of the side net pieces to one or more of the net top pieces. The net pieces preferably comprise a plastic material and one or more of the means for removably attaching the net pieces to the swing set preferably comprise a hook and loop material.
The net set of the invention may be designed to fit a swing set having virtually any size and shape.
The preferred method of the invention for converting a swing set into a soccer goal or other game ball back stop by attaching a net set to the swing set, comprises the steps of: providing a swing set comprising, a central support bar having two ends; and at least one side supports on each of the ends of the central support bar; providing a net set comprising, at least one back net piece with at least two substantially vertical side edges and one substantially horizontal top edge; at least two side net pieces each attached to the back piece along at least one of the side edges; at least one net top piece attached to the back piece along the top edge; and one or more means for removably attaching one or more of the net pieces to the swing set; attaching at least two of the side net pieces to the side supports of the swing set using one or more of the means for removably attaching one or more of the net pieces to the swing set.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 370045 (1996-05-01), Derbecker
patent: 4702478 (1987-10-01), Kruse
patent: 5527032 (1996-06-01), Coleman et al.
patent: 5865693 (1999-02-01), Johnson
Mirick O'Connell DeMallie and Lougee, LLP
Pierce William M.
LandOfFree
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