US3709489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hockey skill-testing, practice and game apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-06
•
Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1991-07-06
Abstract
Abstract This easily-assembled, low cost, versatile apparatus for evaluating the hockey skills of individual players, particularly their shooting, passing and stick handling abilities, comprises a self-supporting, multi-sectioned upstanding wall structure defining, on a substantially flat surface, at least first, second and third adjacent substantially-rectilinear compartments. Two of the compartments have puck target means at one end and are open at the other end so as to provide a shooting position for the contestant, the puck target means comprising a verticallydisposed wall having a plurality of puck receiving apertures therethrough, the size and location of the apertures differing in the respective compartments. The third, substantially-larger compartment has a plurality of upstanding separator devices positionable on the flat surface therein and in spaced relation from each other and from the wall structure so as to define a continuous serpentine path for the contestant to follow. In addition to testing ice, roller and field hockey skills, the apparatus may be used for hockey practice and as a competitive game.
Inventors
- 👤 T Holleran
- 👤 F Green
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:29
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0024; A63B69/0026; A63B69/0097; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A hockey skill-testing, practice and game apparatus comprising in combination: a. a self-supporting multi-sectioned vertical wall structure defining on a substantially flat surface first and second substantially-rectilinear compartments open at one respective end thereof whereby a player located adjacent the open end can project a puck towards the opposite end thereof, and at least a third substantially-rectilinear compartment having substantially greater area than either of said first and second compartments and an opening in at least one side thereof whereby to provide a player entrance and exit; b. puck target means in each of said first and second compartments secured in spaced relation to said wall structure adjacent said opposite end thereof, said puck target means comprising a substantially vertically-disposed wall having a plurality of spaced puck-receiving apertures therethrough; and c. a plurality of upstanding separator devices individually positionable on the flat surface with said third compartment in spaced relation from said wall structure and from each other, said separator devices defining a serpentine path for a player to follow from said entrance to said exit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A hockey skill-testing, practice and game apparatus comprising in combination: a. a self-supporting multi-sectioned vertical wall structure defining on a substantially flat surface first and second substantially-rectilinear compartments open at one respective end thereof whereby a player located adjacent the open end can project a puck towards the opposite end thereof, and at least a third substantially-rectilinear compartment having substantially greater area than either of said first and second compartments and an opening in at least one side thereof whereby to provide a player entrance and exit; b. puck target means in each of said first and second compartments secured in spaced relation to said wall structure adjacent said opposite end thereof, said puck target means comprising a substantially vertically-disposed wall having a plurality of spaced puck-receiving apertures therethrough; and c. a plurality of upstanding separator devices individually positionable on the flat surface with said third compartment in spaced relation from said wall structure and from each other, said separator devices defining a serpentine path for a player to follow from said entrance to said exit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein substantially all sections of said multi-sectioned vertical wall are equal in length and height, the length of the sides of each compartment being determined by the number of sections therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of said sections has a length between about 5 and 20 feet and a height of between about 1 and 4 feet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sections of said multi-sectioned vertical wall structure comprise wood and are secured to one another by metallic brackets with horizontal flange portions having pole-receiving apertures therein for supporting vertically disposed poles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein at least one side of each of said compartments is in alignment with each other, and including a plurality of flagpoles supported in the pole-receiving apertures of the brackets along said aligned sides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5 including at least one banner bearing instructional indicia suspended between flagpoles of each of said compartments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 4 including vertically disposed poles in brackets securing sections of the side walls of said first and second compartments.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 7 including puck retaining netting suspended in vertical disposition between the flagpoles and the poles of said first and second compartments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said netting comprises nylon netting.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sections of said multi-sectioned vertical wall structure comprise wall sections having hinge brackets thereon with aperture axes vertically disposed and including vertically-disposed elongated members as hinge pins in aligned hinge brackets of adjacent sections whereby to splice adjacent sections together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein a plurality of said elongated members extends substantially above said wall sections and including puck retaining netting supported in vertical disposition above said wall sections and between said elongated members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the puck receiving apertures of at least one of said puck target means are vertically disposed at different levels above the flat surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the puck receiving apertures of at least one of said puck target means are aligned adjacent said flat surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said upstanding separator devices comprise resilient truncated cones.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said compartments has at least one wall common to another of said compartments.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |