Sports goal

Abstract

An exemplary sports goal includes two goalposts and a crossbar extending between upper portions of the two goalposts to define an opening. At least one of the crossbar and the two goalposts, and possibly each of the crossbar and the goalposts, has a facet that is oriented partially towards the opening. This promotes deflection of scoring objects through the opening. Scoring opportunities may be enhanced as a result. An alternative exemplary sports goal includes a crossbar and two uprights extending upwardly from ends of the crossbar to define a scoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights. At least one of the crossbar and the two uprights has a facet that is oriented partially towards the scoring area.

1 . A sports goal comprising:
 two goalposts; and   a crossbar extending between upper portions of said two goalposts to define an opening, at least one of said crossbar and said two goalposts having a facet that is oriented partially towards said opening for promoting deflection of scoring objects through said opening or towards an area immediately in front of said opening.   
     
     
         2 . The sports goal of  claim 1  wherein said facet is in either or both of said two goalposts and forms an angle of about 95 to about 150 degrees with a notional line extending from an innermost edge of said facet to the opposing goalpost. 
     
     
         3 . The sports goal of  claim 1  wherein said facet is in said crossbar and forms an angle of about 5 to about 60 degrees with the horizontal at its lowermost edge. 
     
     
         4 . The sports goal of  claim 1  wherein each of said crossbar and said two goalposts has said facet. 
     
     
         5 . The sports goal of  claim 1  wherein said sports goal comprises a hockey net and wherein said scoring objects comprise hockey pucks. 
     
     
         6 . The sports goal of  claim 1  wherein said sports goal comprises a soccer goal and wherein said scoring objects comprise soccer balls. 
     
     
         7 . The sports goal of  claim 1  wherein either or both of said crossbar and said pair of goalposts is a faceted tube or faceted solid member. 
     
     
         8 . The sports goal of  claim 7  wherein a cross sectional shape of said faceted tube or said faceted solid member is a circle section occupying more than half of the circle. 
     
     
         9 . The sports goal of  claim 1  wherein said facet is substantially flat. 
     
     
         10 . A sports goal comprising:
 a crossbar; and   two uprights extending upwardly from ends of said crossbar to define a scoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights, at least one of said crossbar and said two uprights having a facet that is oriented partially towards said scoring area for promoting deflection of scoring objects through said scoring area.   
     
     
         11 . The sports goal of  claim 10  wherein said facet is in either or both of said two uprights and forms an angle of about 95 to about 150 degrees with a notional line extending from an innermost edge of said facet to the opposing upright. 
     
     
         12 . The sports goal of  claim 10  wherein said facet is in said crossbar and forms an angle of about 5 to about 60 degrees with the horizontal at its uppermost edge. 
     
     
         13 . The sports goal of  claim 10  wherein each of said crossbar and said two uprights has said facet. 
     
     
         14 . The sports goal of  claim 10  wherein said scoring objects are footballs. 
     
     
         15 . The sports goal of  claim 10  wherein said facet is substantially flat. 
     
     
         16 . A sports goal comprising:
 two goalposts; and   a crossbar extending between upper portions of said two goalposts to define an opening below the crossbar and between the goalposts, at least one of said crossbar and said two goalposts having a non-cylindrical cross section oriented so as to promote deflection of scoring objects through said opening.   
     
     
         17 . The sports goal of  claim 16  wherein said non-cylindrical cross section comprises a facet that is oriented partially towards said opening. 
     
     
         18 . The sports goal of  claim 17  wherein said facet is slightly curved. 
     
     
         19 . A sports goal comprising:
 a crossbar; and   two uprights extending upwardly from ends of said crossbar to define a scoring area above the crossbar and between the uprights, at least one of said crossbar and said two goalposts having a non-cylindrical cross section oriented so as to promote deflection of scoring objects through said scoring area.   
     
     
         20 . The sports goal of  claim 19  wherein said non-cylindrical cross section comprises a facet that is oriented partially towards said scoring area. 
     
     
         21 . The sports goal of  claim 20  wherein said facet is slightly curved.