Enhanced Sports Goal Backstop System
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An improved sports goal backstop system with adjustable, modular, and tensioned components for enhanced projectile stopping performance, ease of use, and customization.
Background and Problem Solved
The original sports goal backstop system, while effective, has limitations in its fixed design, attachment mechanism, and lack of real-time data. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing an adjustable material implement, a tensioning mechanism, and an integrated projectile tracking system, resulting in improved safety, efficiency, and user experience.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced sports goal backstop system comprises an adjustable material implement that can be adapted to varying goal heights, ensuring a snug fit around the goal. The material implement features a reinforced edge for secure attachment to the goal frame using an attachment mechanism, such as hooks or lacing cords. A tensioning mechanism maintains the material implement at a consistent tautness, ensuring optimal projectile stopping performance. Additionally, the system features a modular design, allowing for easy replacement and customization of material implement sections. An integrated projectile tracking system, comprising sensors and a display, provides real-time data on projectile velocity and trajectory, enhancing user experience and safety.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel features that are non-obvious improvements over the original patent. The adjustable material implement, tensioning mechanism, and integrated projectile tracking system are distinct advancements that solve the inherent limitations of the original design, providing a more efficient, safe, and user-friendly experience.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the enhanced sports goal backstop system could include different attachment mechanisms, such as snap-fasteners or Velcro, or varying materials for the material implement, such as mesh or netting. Additionally, the system could be adapted for use with different types of sports goals or projectiles, or integrated with other sports equipment for enhanced performance.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced sports goal backstop system has significant commercial potential in the sports equipment industry, particularly in professional and amateur sports leagues, schools, and recreational facilities. The system's improved performance, ease of use, and customization options make it an attractive solution for sports teams, coaches, and athletes seeking to enhance their training and competition experiences.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A63 | A63B63/004 |
| A | A63 | A63B71/022 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Sports equipment design and safety systems, specifically goal backstop technologies for managing projectile containment in athletic training and gameplay environments
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A mechanical engineer or sports equipment designer with expertise in protective barriers, material design, and athletic training equipment, familiar with modular attachment systems and safety enhancement techniques
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the source patent's backstop system, utilizing known techniques of adjustability, modular design, and sensor integration that are common problem-solving approaches in sports equipment design.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,856 |
|---|---|
| Title | Sports goal backstop system |