Sports Training Device

Abstract

A sports training device is disclosed. The sports training device is a portable and flexible practice target which can be used to direct a player's eyes in practice to improve aim. The sports training device can be attached to many different locations within a goal, and be used with or without a goal tending player.

1 . A sports training device comprising:
 a sheet of elastomeric material, having:
 a planar surface and a depth, 
 the planer surface having a top edge, a bottom edge, and one or more side edges, 
 the one or more side edges of the planar surface, oriented perpendicular to an external lateral surface when viewed perpendicular to the depth, and 
 a property of remaining essentially planar when held vertically by a portion of one of the side edges; and wherein, 
 the sheet of elastomeric material comprising:
 a target face portion; 
 a target arm portion adjacent to the target face portion; and 
 a mounting surface portion adjacent to the target arm portion and also adjacent to one or more side edges, wherein the mounting surface portion comprises at least one hole; and 
 
   an attachment, configured to pass through the at least one hole of the mounting surface portion of the sheet of elastomeric material to be held vertically by one of the side edges and to remain planer when held vertically by one of the side edges.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of elastomeric material is selected from a group comprising polyurethane, latex, natural rubber, polychloroprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, polyethylene, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, fluoropolymer elastomer, and thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sheet of elastomeric material comprises a durometer. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of elastomeric material further comprises a fiber matrix. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of elastomeric material is a foam. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of elastomeric material further comprises a filler. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet of elastomeric material is a continuous sheet of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the target face portion, the target arm portion and the mounting surface portion is a different durometer from the remaining portions. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the target face is substantially circular or oval. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: a first portion of the attachment is configured to be in contact with a first surface of the mounting surface portion and a second portion of the attachment is configured to be in contact with a second surface of the mounting surface portion, and the first surface of the mounting surface portion is opposite the second surface of the mounting surface portion. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment comprises a fastener selected from a group consisting fabric hook and loop, buckle, snap buckle and hook. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment further comprises a strap. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a visual aid positioned on a surface of the elastomeric material. 
     
     
         14 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A sports training device comprising:
 an elastomeric target element having a front target face and an opposing rear target face;   an elastomeric target arm connected to the target element;   an elastomeric mounting surface connected to the target arm and configured to be attached laterally to a vertical post; and   a flexible attachment strap connected to the mounting surface.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the target element and the target arm form at least a portion of a sheet of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the target arm and the mounting surface form at least a portion of a sheet of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the target element, target arm and the mounting surface form at least a portion of a sheet of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the target element, target arm, the mounting surface and the attachment strap form at least a portion of a sheet of elastomeric material. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the target element is configured to remain essentially planar and perpendicular to an external lateral surface when held vertically on one side by the flexible attachment strap. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 26 , wherein an entirety of the target element is configured to bend less than 15 degrees from an axis normal to the ground when the target element is held by a portion of the mounting surface portion adjacent to a side edge and when the target element is heated to 130° F. for one hour. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein a length of the portion of the mounting surface is 5-15% of a length of the target element, and a width of the portion of the mounting surface is 5-15% of a width of the target element. 
     
     
         29 . A sports training device comprising:
 a target face portion;   a target arm portion adjacent to the target face portion; and   a mounting surface portion adjacent to the target arm portion and configured to be attached laterally to a vertical post,   wherein at least a portion of the target arm portion is flexible.