CA3085278A1 - Hockey goalie and player angle training system - Google Patents

Abstract

A sports angle training system comprising an apparatus for the use of two phones video chatting with each other, a plastic sliding plate, a counterweight to keep the stick upright, a hockey stick, a phone holder mount, hardware to attach all of these things together, and a neck phone holder or other system to keep the phone in view of the user is also worn by the user as a display monitor for the view from the puck. The main objective of this device is to train hockey players and hockey goaltenders how to position or recognize net coverage in relation to puck position and goaltender position through instant visual feedback.

Description

Description:
1. Field of Invention:
My invention system comprises a puck view camera/phone, a specialized phone holder sliding plate, a hockey stick, a neck mounted phone holder, and a screen that gives the user direct visual feedback of what the puck sees.Goaltending can be simplified to one key fundamental: awareness of body placement between the net and the puck.
Optimizing net coverage is the most important skill a goaltender can hone. There are many coaching websites and online videos that talk about seeing the net through the eyes of the puck.
Coaches will place cameras on the ice to simulate what the puck sees, as it is a different angle than what the player or goalie sees. Using video playback is a good way to give a general idea of this concept, but it lacks the immediate feedback needed to make the proper, minute adjustments that make good goaltenders great. This invention apparatus and system is an inexpensive and effective way for players and goaltenders to gain feedback of net coverage using devices they already have with little time involved in the set up of the system.
Using my invention apparatus and system, goaltenders will be able to maximize net coverage and usage of body positioning, perhaps even making new save selections or modifications possible. Players will be able to more easily identify when a goalie is out of position and know where to shoot the puck for a better chance at scoring.
Essentially, my invention apparatus and system is designed to hold phones for specific use of video chatting to each other during hockey practice to increase accuracy and optimize body positioning. My invention apparatus and system makes seeing what the puck sees actually possible and provides instant feedback. It is very easy to use and simulates live gameplay, making rote visual memorization of puck position and body position intuitive. It is ideal for practice scenarios when players are trying to find places to shoot pucks or goalies are perfecting depth, angle, and body positioning when the puck is at different places on the ice. What makes this invention apparatus and system invaluable is the immediate feedback. Within a few seconds of using this device, any hockey player will be able to discern the essential coaching concept, "seeing through the eyes of the puck." It is easy to use and useful for any skill level or age. This invention is an invaluable tool for players, goalies, and coaches.

2. Prior Art:
Canadian Patents 2193517, 2865431, and 219351 all address the issue of puck angle and feedback to the goaltender using a system of cords attached between goalposts and a player's stick. This is a time consuming method that can be cumbersome for practicing goaltenders. Surrounding cords restrict movements for goaltenders and could potentially give improper feedback if the cords sag due to gravity.
Canadian patent 2865431 does have a camera which captures the image of what the puck sees, but the use of playback is required to view footage. This creates the problem of too much time between feedback and adjustment to be an effective training method. This device is also attached to the very end of a player's stick, giving the goaltender feedback from beyond the players stick, rather than what the puck actually sees from the face of the blade.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-02 US patent 9126087 attaches a hockey stick to a parking cone to simulate a defender, primarily for other players to practice stickhandling. It does not address puck angles and feedback in relation to goaltenders. It does not have a way to attach a phone or camera for the purpose of capturing puck perspective.
US patent 8128518 is an electronic goalie angle training system comprising a system of sensors attached behind a goaltender and a device that simulates a puck. The device senses areas of the net not covered by the goaltender. This is potentially an expensive device that is time consuming to set up and restricts movement of the goaltender.

3. Operation:
The user attaches a phone into each mount (one on the stick mount (3), and one on the neck phone holder(7)), then the phones video chat with each other using a wifi connection. The phone on the hockey stick phone holder (3) acts as a camera to capture and transmit the view from the puck to the phone mounted on the neck phone holder (7) whereas the phone acts as a display monitor allowing the user to view what the puck sees. The entire invention can be easily slid around on the ice the same as a regular hockey stick using the plastic sliding plate (4) and it is weighted for stability to keep your phone off the ice and the hockey stick (1) upright.
The hockey stick phone holder is moved around on the ice to change the shooter's perspective in reference to where the goaltender is, allowing the user (either shooter or goaltender) to see places that are available to the shooter in order to score a goal that is not easily saved by the goaltender. Goa!tender users will easily be able to modify their placement, while shooters can practice knowing when a goaltender is out of position.
(Numbers in, "operation" refer to the representative drawings) Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-02

Claims (8)

l claim:

1. A system comprising the use of two phones video chatting with each other, a plastic sliding plate, a counterweight to keep the stick upright, a hockey stick, a phone holder attached to the face of the blade of the hockey stick, and hardware to attach the stick, phone holder, sliding plate, and weight together. A neck phone holder or other system to keep the phone in view of the user is also worn by the user as a display monitor for visuals transmitted from the sliding plate phone.

2. The system of claim 1, with the alternative attachment of a hockey stick that is temporarily mounted using a clamp or clip in system rather than permanently mounting a stick to the sliding plate.

3. The system of claim 1, with the alternative attachment of the phone mount directly attached to the sliding plate, rather than the hockey stick.

4. A system using two devices that provide instant visual display to each other for the purpose of giving feedback to sports players.

5. System of claim 1, with the addition of Wheels or rollers added to the bottom of the puck camera to adapt to floor hockey use.

6. System of claim 1, with cloth or suitable material under the plastic sliding plate for use of sliding on hardwood surface.

7. System of claim 1, with the addition of powered wheels added so the stick mounted sliding plate to make movement of the sliding plate remote controlled.

8. System of claim 1, instead of using phones and wifi or data to communicate visual information, the camera/stick mount could also be designed to hold a camera and power supply with video bluetooth capabilities, such as ones that are present in automobile backup cameras that project to phones or screens specific to the camera.
Making the system entirely enclosed and unreliant on internet capabilities.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-07-02