Sports target and training aid

Abstract

A portable target and backstop apparatus for sports activities incorporating a combination of features for assisting players or athletes in developing desired skills and to increase their proficiency and for assisting coaches or teachers in observing, evaluating and critiquing the player's speed, body mechanics and technique for instructional and corrective purposes is disclosed. The device has a wheeled target panel having a target area and includes a video recording device and a speed detection device. A netted backstop provides protection from, and a collection for, errant balls or pucks advanced toward the device.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property right or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
         1 . A sports target and training aid apparatus comprising: 
 a target panel having two or more apertures;    a frame means for vertical and structural support of said target panel;    a video recording means attached to said frame and positioned thereon to be in direct alignment with one of said apertures of said target panel;    a speed detection means attached to said frame and positioned thereon to be direct alignment with another of said apertures of said target panel; and,    a backstop means spaceably positioned behind said target panel for stopping, deflecting and capturing moving objects being advanced in the direction of said target panel wherein said moving objects either pass through an aperture of said target panel, are deflected away from said target panel or are caused to completely miss said target panel.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said target panel comprises a face panel and a rigid support panel.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said face panel is removably attached to said rigid support panel.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said face panel includes the image of a sports figure thereon.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said face panel is comprised of a sheet of impact resistant material.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said frame means comprises a frame, a pair of wheels operably attached at one end of said frame, a handle, a load bearing support tongue and a lock means for preventing movement of the frame relative to its wheels.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said video recording means comprises a video camera wherein the field of view of said camera is caused to be directed through one of said apertures of said target panel.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said speed detection means comprises a speed detection device utilizing reflected wave technology in order to determine the speed of objects being advanced toward said device and includes an instantaneous readout of the speed of said objects.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one of said apertures of said target panel is circular and is of sufficient diameter as to allow an accurately directed object, such as a sports ball or hockey puck, to easily pass through said aperture.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said backstop means comprises a vertical hoop member, a base member for supporting said vertical hoop member and netting material with said netting material being attached to, and loosely covering, the opening of said vertical hoop member and being attached to one end of said base member.