HOCKEY GOALIE MANNEQUIN TRAINING AID

Abstract

A goalie mannequin support frame includes an upright frame. The upright frame includes a body portion having a top member, a bottom member, a first side member and a second side member. At least one arm member extends laterally from the first side member. A legs portion is coupled to the body portion and extends downward from the bottom member. The legs portion is disposed at an angle relative to the body portion. A support frame is coupled to the upright frame and is configured to support the upright frame in an upright position when resting on a surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/656,037, filed Apr. 11, 2018, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to athletic mannequins for sports practice and, more particularly, to a hockey goalie mannequin that utilizes real hockey equipment and supports a goalie stick for life like training.

[0003] Athletes often use mannequins and other training aid devices to assist them in practice. In the sport of Hockey, there are a number of training aids meant to simulate other Hockey players. Other training aids that are utilized in conjunction with a hockey net are two-dimensional and have target areas that are cut outs of the two-dimensional device. These training aids have a depiction of a goalie in the center of the net and lend themselves to straight on shots. Further, other devices offer target areas that are not fully representative of the life like conditions. The goalie is not scaled appropriately to the net. The existing devices are not realistic and do not lend themselves to shots taken at an angle to the net.

[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for a life like hockey goalie mannequin that utilizes real hockey equipment and supports a goalie stick for life like training.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, a goalie mannequin support frame comprises: an upright frame comprising: a body portion comprising a top member, a bottom member, a first side member and a second side member, and at least one arm member extending laterally from the first side member; and a legs portion coupled to the body portion and extending downward from the bottom member, wherein the legs portion is disposed at an angle relative to the body portion; and a support frame coupled to the upright frame and configured to support the upright frame in an upright position when resting on a surface.

[0006] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in a collapsed position; and

[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0013] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention includes a hockey goalie mannequin frame that provides a life like goalie. The present invention serves as a training aid that enables to improve a user's shooting and scoring skills. The hockey goalie mannequin is built and shaped to utilize real hockey goalie equipment and give the appearance of a real-life goalie. The supporting structure holds the goalie stick in such a manner that it can sustain full speed slap shots. The described goalie mannequin does not require any attachment to the net and offers clear advantages for angled shots or shots taken off to the side of the net.

[0014] The present invention utilizes a frame, which serves as the skeleton to hold or wear goalie equipment and simulate the stance of an actual goalie. The goalie equipment completes the realistic presentation. The stick support provides the structural support to withstand shots, while maintaining the realistic presentation. The mannequin head is supported on top of the frame. A hockey helmet is placed on the mannequin head. The components work together to create a realistic replication of an actual goalie. This replication creates a realistic presentation to a shooter to create target practice.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a goalie mannequin support frame. The support frame includes an upright frame 10. The upright frame 10 includes a body portion 11 having a top member, a bottom member, a first side member and a second side member. At least one arm member extends laterally from the first side member. A legs portion 13 is coupled to the body portion 11 and extends downward from the bottom member. The legs portion 13 is disposed at an angle relative to the body portion 11. A support frame 15 is coupled to the upright frame 10 and is configured to support the upright frame 10 in an upright position when resting on a surface.

[0016] In certain embodiments, chest padding and/or a jersey is attached to the body portion 11, leg pads 50 are attached to the legs portion 13, a first mannequin arm with a blocker 48 and a goalie stick 44 is attached to the at least one arm member, a second mannequin arm with a glove 46 is coupled to the second side member, and a mannequin head with a goalie helmet 42 is attached to the top member of the body portion 11, resembling a human sized goalie, which may be placed in front of a hockey goal 52 for practice shooting. The body portion 11 and the leg portion 13 may be at an angle relative to one another to resemble a goalie in a hunched over position.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the body portion 11 is pivotally coupled to the legs portion 13 and is capable of pivoting towards the legs portion 13 and away from the legs portion 13 along a horizontal axis. Further, the at least one arm member is pivotally coupled to the body portion 11 and pivots along a horizontal axis. The pivoting joints allow a user to customize the position of the goalie mannequin support frame for practicing shooting at specified goalie positions.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the upright frame 10 and the support frame 15 are each made of a plurality of pipes and pipe couplings. For example, the upright frame 10 and the support frame 15 may be made of the following pipes and pipe couplings: large cross coupling 12; long 90.degree. elbows 14; coupling nipples 16; large tee couplings 18; reducing tee couplings 20; leg pipes 22; first support frame pipes 24; 45.degree. couplings 26; second support frame pipes 28; short 90.degree. elbows 30; third support frame pipes 32; small cross coupling 34; long support tee pipe 36; small tee coupling 38; and short support tee pipe 40.

[0019] The body portion 11 of the upright frame may include a plurality of pipes that form a square shape. The legs portion 13 may include a plurality of pipes that form a pair of elongated legs with outwardly extending feet. The support frame 15 may be made of a plurality of pipes coupled together to form a T-shape.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the upright frame 10 and the support frame 15 are releasably coupled together so that they may be detached for stowage. For example, the legs portion 13 may include sockets and the support frame 15 includes first support frame pipes 24 that releasably fit within the sockets, coupling the upright frame 10 and the support frame 15 together.

[0021] The pipes and pipe couplings may be made of PVC or metal. In one embodiment, the frame is made of wood. The frame is created in a manner that allows the actual goalie equipment to be applied. The frame is proportioned to create similarity to an actual human body.

[0022] In one embodiment, the type of equipment applied is optional in a similar manner as to a real goalie having options as to which equipment he/she might wear. In one embodiment, a target in the area between the legs is applied to the frame, referred to as the `Five Hole` in hockey. The goalie mannequin can hold the stick in either the right or left hand. Advantageously, the device can be customized to suit the user's preference.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the goalie mannequin is used in conjunction with robotics. In another embodiment, the goalie mannequin may serve as art or a statue. In another embodiment, the mannequin is used as a stand to park actual goal tending equipment.

[0024] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A goalie mannequin support frame comprising: an upright frame comprising: a body portion comprising a top member, a bottom member, a first side member and a second side member, and at least one arm member extending laterally from the first side member; and a legs portion coupled to the body portion and extending downward from the bottom member, wherein the legs portion is disposed at an angle relative to the body portion; and a support frame coupled to the upright frame and configured to support the upright frame in an upright position when resting on a surface.

2. The goalie mannequin support frame of claim 1, wherein the body portion is pivotally coupled to the legs portion and is capable of pivoting towards the legs portion and away from the legs portion along a horizontal axis.

3. The goalie mannequin support frame of claim 1, wherein the legs portion comprises feet extending laterally therefrom.

4. The goalie mannequin support frame of claim 1, wherein the at least one arm member is pivotally coupled to the body portion and pivots along a horizontal axis.

5. The goalie mannequin support frame of claim 4, further comprising a mannequin arm coupled to the at least one arm member, wherein a goalie stick and a blocker are coupled to the mannequin arm.

6. The goalie mannequin support frame of claim 1, further comprising a mannequin head coupled to the top member of the body portion.

7. The goalie mannequin support frame of claim 1, wherein the upright frame and the support frame are releasably coupled together.

8. The goalie mannequin support frame of claim 7, wherein the upright frame and the support frame are each made of a plurality of pipes and pipe couplings.

9. The goalie mannequin support frame of claim 8, wherein the legs portion comprises sockets and the support frame comprises pipes that releasably fit within the sockets.

10. The goalie mannequin support frame of claim 8, wherein the support frame is made of a plurality of pipes coupled together to form a T-shape.