Sports goal nets

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus to stop and/or return shots for use with a sports goal net having a goal frame with a pair of posts and a cross bar connected to one end of each of pair of posts. The pair of posts and top cross bar defining a goal opening. The apparatus includes a first side deflector, shaped to cover part of the goal opening, and connected to one of the pair of posts by a first connector means adapted to permit the first side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position in front of the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post. A second side deflector, shaped to cover the remaining part of the goal opening, is connected to the other of said pair of posts by second connector means adapted to permit the second side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position in front of the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post. When in the closed position, the sports goal net can be used as a practice device for shooting and increasing accuracy of movable objects, such as pucks or balls or the like, whereby the objects are deflected back to the user for ease of self practice.

1 . Apparatus to stop and/or return shots for use with a sports goal net having a goal frame with a pair of posts and a cross bar connected to one end of each of said pair of posts, the pair of posts and top cross bar defining a goal opening, said apparatus comprising:
 a first side deflector, shaped to cover part of the goal opening, connected to one of the pair of posts by first connector means adapted to permit the first side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position in front of the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post, and   a second side deflector, shaped to cover the remaining part of the goal opening, connected to the other of said pair of posts by second connector means adapted to permit the second side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position in front of the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post.   
   
   
       2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein a support section is provided to enable the goal frame to be free standing. 
   
   
       3 . Apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second side deflectors can be adjusted to stop and return shots that are wide of the goal opening or shots that are in the goal opening. 
   
   
       4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the support section of the sports goal net comprises an upper support section and a base section, where the upper support section and base section are spaced apart by one or more vertical supports. 
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein a top deflector is connected to the support section to permit the top deflector to move from a first position above the goal opening to a stored position. 
   
   
       6 . A sports goal net comprising:
 a goal frame having a pair of posts and a cross bar connected to one end of each of said pair of posts, said pair of posts and top cross bar defining a goal opening;   a support section to enable the goal frame to be free standing; and   netting attached to said goal frame behind said goal opening;   wherein a first side deflector shaped to fit within the goal opening is connected to one of said pair of posts by first connector means adapted to permit the first side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position within the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post; and   a second side deflector shaped to fit within the goal opening is connected to the other of said pair of posts by second connector means adapted to permit the second side deflector to rotate about the post from a first closed position within the goal opening to one or more open positions to the outside of said post.   
   
   
       7 . A sports goal net as claimed in  claim 6 , said goal frame having a support section having an upper support section and a base section, said upper support section and a base section spaced apart by a pair of rear posts. 
   
   
       8 . A sports goal net as claimed in  claim 6  wherein a top deflector is connected to the support section to permit the top deflector to move from a first position above the goal opening to a stored position. 
   
   
       9 . A sports goal net as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the top deflector comprises a pair of opposite side members linked by a cross member at one end and wherein a second end of said opposite side members telescope out of a top end of one of the pair of rear posts on said support section into a first position above the goal opening and telescope into the rear posts to a stored position. 
   
   
       10 . A sports goal net as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the top deflector comprises a pair of opposite side members linked by a first cross member at one end and a second end of said opposite side members is linked by a second cross member, the top deflector connected to said upper support section to permit the top deflector to rotate from a first position above the goal opening to a stored position below the upper support section. 
   
   
       11 . A sports goal net as claimed in  claim 6  wherein each of said first and second side deflectors have a frame comprising top and bottom cross members and a first vertical member, each of said top and bottom cross members having a first end remote from said goal frame, and wherein said vertical member is connected to the first end of each of the top and bottom cross members. 
   
   
       12 . A sports goal net as claimed in  claim 11  wherein a second end of each of said top and bottom cross members of the first side deflector is pivotally connected to one of the pair of posts that define the goal opening and a second end of each of said top and bottom cross members of the second side deflector is pivotally connected to the other one of the pair of posts that define the goal opening. 
   
   
       13 . A sports goal net as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the frame of each of said first and second side deflectors further comprises a second vertical member connected to the second end of each of the top and bottom cross members and the second vertical member of the first side deflector is pivotally connected to one of the pair of posts that define the goal opening and the second vertical member of the second side deflector is pivotally connected to the other one of the pair of posts that define the goal opening. 
   
   
       14 . A sports goal net as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising removable targets attached to said goal frame. 
   
   
       15 . Apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the first and second side deflectors can be adjusted to stop and return shots that are wide of the goal opening or shots that are in the goal opening. 
   
   
       16 . A sports goal net as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising removable targets attached to said goal frame.