Target apparatus for hockey or other sports

Abstract

A target apparatus for practicing hockey or other sports includes a frame comprising a forwardly inclined upright support member. The apparatus includes a plurality of independently pivoting target paddles each pivotally mounted to the forwardly inclined upright support member and independently rotatable between a first position in which the target paddle is on a first side of the frame and a second position in which the target paddle is on a second side of the frame. The apparatus includes an inclination adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of inclination of the inclined upright support member.

1 . A target apparatus comprising:
 a frame comprising a forwardly inclined upright support member;   a plurality of independently pivoting target paddles each pivotally mounted to the forwardly inclined upright support member and independently rotatable between a first position in which the target paddle is on a first side of the frame and a second position in which the target paddle is on a second side of the frame; and   an inclination adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of inclination of the inclined upright support member.   
     
     
         2 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  comprising four rectangular target paddles. 
     
     
         3 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inclination adjustment mechanism comprises one or more adjustment screws that thread into a base of the frame. 
     
     
         4 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a vertical spacing between adjacent target paddles is greater than a height of each target paddle. 
     
     
         5 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the frame has a first footing member and a second detachable footing member. 
     
     
         6 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the detachable footing member is detachable from the first footing member and is re-attachable to the inclined upright support member to define a carrying configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an upper platform atop the inclined upright support member for supporting a radar gun. 
     
     
         8 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising a radar gun mounted on the upper platform. 
     
     
         9 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each target paddle is a different color. 
     
     
         10 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each target paddle and the frame are made of recycled plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  further comprising an upper platform atop the inclined upright support member. 
     
     
         12 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising a radar gun mounted on the upper platform. 
     
     
         13 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each target paddle is a different color. 
     
     
         14 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 13  wherein each target paddle and the frame are made of recycled plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 14  comprising four rectangular target paddles. 
     
     
         16 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the inclination adjustment mechanism comprises one or more adjustment screws that thread into a base of the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The target apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  wherein a vertical spacing between adjacent target paddles is greater than a height of each target paddle. 
     
     
         18 . A method for a sports player to practice shooting or throwing accuracy using a target apparatus, the method comprising:
 positioning the target apparatus, the apparatus comprising:
 a frame comprising a forwardly inclined upright support member; 
 a plurality of independently pivoting target paddles each pivotally mounted to the forwardly inclined upright support member and independently rotatable between a first position in which the target paddle is on a first side of the frame and a second position in which the target paddle is on a second side of the frame; and 
 an inclination adjustment mechanism for adjusting an angle of inclination of the inclined upright support member; 
   adjusting the inclination adjustment mechanism to a desired angle of inclination; and   targeting one or more of the target paddles.   
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18  further comprising mounting a radar gun on an upper platform atop the inclined upright support member. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19  further comprising measuring a speed of a shot or throw with the radar gun mounted on the upper platform.