Method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal

Abstract

A method and apparatus for modifying a sports goal is provided that deflects objects directed toward the sports goal downward to reduce the number of lost objects and to reduce the effort required to retrieve objects projected outside of and within the sports goal. The inventive method and apparatus increases practice time devoted to improving skills and encourages players to project balls to the periphery of the sports goal, as generally preferred in competitive games. The apparatus is configured for attachment to a sports goal with a goal opening defined by goal sides and a goal top and includes an external frame surrounding the goal opening and an external net attachable to the external frame. The apparatus may further include an internal frame having an internal side edge about the same length as one of the goal sides and an internal top edge about the same length as the goal top, as well as a concave-shaped internal net attachable to the internal frame.

1 . An apparatus for attachment to a sports goal with a goal opening defined by goal sides and a goal top, comprising: 
 an external frame surrounding said goal opening; and    an external net being attachable to said external frame, wherein movement of an object projected outside of said goal opening and within said external frame is controlled by said external net so that said object is deflected proximate said sports goal.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said external frame has an external side edge greater in length than one of said goal sides and an external top edge greater in length than said goal top.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said external frame and said external net are substantially coplanar to said goal opening.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising: 
 an internal frame having an internal side edge about the same length as said goal sides and an internal top edge about the same length as said goal top; and    an internal net being attachable to said internal frame, wherein movement of an object projected within said goal opening is controlled by said internal net so that said object is deflected downward proximate said goal.    
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said internal net substantially covers an area of said goal opening.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein said internal frame further comprises curved battens and said internal net is attachable to said battens for maintaining a concave shape of said internal net.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a frame support member having a first end and a second end, said first end operatively connected to said external frame and said second end supporting said external frame.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said frame support member extends transversely from said external frame.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  further comprising a support holder configured to receive said second end of said frame support member.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a second external net attachable to said external frame.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener for releasably fastening said external net to said external frame.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of frame support members.  
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for attachment to a sports goal with a goal opening defined by goal sides and a goal top, comprising 
 an internal frame having an internal side edge about the same length as one of said goal sides and an internal top edge about the same length as said goal top; and    an internal net being attachable to said internal frame, wherein movement of an object projected within said goal opening is con-trolled by said internal net so that said object is deflected downward proximate said goal.    
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  further comprising a fastener for releasably fastening said internal frame to said sports goal.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said internal net substantially covers an area of said goal opening.  
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein said internal frame further comprises curved battens and said internal net is attachable to said battens for maintaining a concave shape of said internal net.  
   
   
       17 . A method of modifying a sports goal with a goal opening, said method comprising the following steps: 
 providing an external frame capable of being substantially coplanar to and surrounding said goal opening;    providing a frame support member for supporting said external frame; and    attaching an external net to said external frame, said external net capable of being substantially coplanar to and surrounding said goal opening, wherein movement of an object projected outside of said goal opening and within said external frame is controlled by said external net so that said object is deflected proximate said goal.    
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17  further comprising the following steps: 
 providing an internal frame within said goal opening; and    attaching an internal net to said internal frame for substantially covering the area of said goal opening, wherein movement of an object projected within said goal opening is controlled by said internal net so that said object is deflected downward proximate said sports goal.    
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein said step of attaching an external net to said external frame comprises the substeps of: 
 providing a fastener; and    releasably fastening said external net to said external frame with said fastener.    
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 18  wherein said internal net is concave-shaped.