Sports training device and implementation thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of a sports training device that incorporates structure to facilitate installation and transport. These embodiments include a frame with one or more articulating sections that can change the configuration of the frame. The different configurations can change the dimensions of the sports training device, e.g., reducing the dimensions for transport and increasing the dimensions to match the opening of a goal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports training device, comprising:
 a frame at least partially circumscribing a frame opening, the frame comprising a top frame member, a bottom frame member, and a pair of peripheral frame members including a first peripheral frame member and a second peripheral frame member, one each coupled to opposite sides of the top frame member and the bottom frame member, wherein each of the first peripheral frame member and the second peripheral frame member include joints that are configured to permit the top frame member and the bottom frame member to rotate inwardly toward a center plane of the frame; and   a target assembly coupled with the frame, the target assembly comprising a first target member that is configured to couple with either the first peripheral frame member or the second peripheral frame member, the first target member having a target disposed in the frame opening,   wherein rotation at the joints configures the frame to assume a first frame configuration and a second frame configuration that is different from the first frame configuration,   wherein the first frame configuration and the second frame configuration define a frame member distance between the top frame member and the bottom frame member, and   wherein the frame member distance has a first frame member distance in the first frame configuration and a second frame member distance in the second frame configuration that is less than the first frame member distance.   
     
     
         2 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , wherein the target member is configured to assume a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the first orientation positions the target substantially parallel to a plane that is tangent to a point on the first peripheral frame member and a point on the second peripheral frame member, and wherein the second orientation positions the target at an angle to the plane. 
     
     
         3 . The sports training device of  claim 3 , wherein the target member comprises a biasing element that is configured to move the target member from the second orientation to the first orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The sports training device of  claim 3 , wherein the target member is configured to generate an output that indicates the orientation of the target. 
     
     
         5 . The sports training device of  claim 4 , wherein the target member comprises a sensor member that is configured to generate the output. 
     
     
         6 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , wherein the target assembly comprises a first set of target members disposed on the first peripheral frame member and a second set of target members disposed on the second peripheral frame member. 
     
     
         7 . The sports training device of  claim 6 , further comprising a device input coupled with the frame and a wiring harness coupled with the device input and extending along the frame, the wiring harness comprising wires that couple the first set of target members and the second set of target members to the device input. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a frame forming an opening and foldable in at least two places;   a target assembly comprising a first target member and a second target member coupled to the frame, one each disposed on opposite sides of the opening of the frame, the first target member and the second target member having a target with at least one orientation that configures the target at an angle to a plane that is tangent to at least two points on the frame.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the frame has a first configuration and a second configuration that define an outer dimension for the frame, and wherein the outer dimension in the first configuration is greater than the outer dimension in the second configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frame members circumscribing the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the target members comprise a target articulating joint with a biasing element that returns the target member to a first orientation from a second orientation disposed at the angle. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the target members comprise a sensor member that is configured to generate the output. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the frame members are hollow. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the target assembly comprises a wiring harness with wires that are disposed inside of the hollow frame members and that are coupled with the sensor member. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising conductors that are disposed in the frame members and that are coupled to the sensor member. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a control device that is configured to connect with the device, the control device configured to generate an output that instructs operation of the device between a number of operating modes that define a scoring protocol for the device.   
     
     
         17 . A method, comprising:
 on a frame forming an opening:
 arranging frame members of the frame to fold inwardly toward a center plane of the frame; and 
 coupling targets to the frame members so that the targets travel inwardly with the frame members, the targets having at least one orientation that configures the target at an angle to a plane that is tangent to at least two points on the frame. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 disposing sensors proximate the targets, the sensors configured to generate a signal in response to the at least one orientation of the target.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 connecting the sensors with a terminal to register a change in orientation of the target on a display.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 coupling the sensors with a display to indicate a tally for each change in orientation of the target.