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Playing field obstacle kit and methodRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Playing Field Or Court Game; Game Element Or Accessory Therefor Other Than Projector Or Projectile, Per Se, Practice Or Training Device, For Game Using Apertured Or Pocketed Goal Or Target (e.g., For Hockey, Soccer, Polo, Lacrosse, Etc.)Playing field obstacle kit and method description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070167263, Playing field obstacle kit and method. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/079,593, filed Mar. 14, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,198,580, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/744,251, filed Dec. 22, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,595, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The invention relates generally to practice devices for sports and other activities. BACKGROUND [0003] In soccer, when certain fouls are committed against the offensive team, a "free kick" may be awarded. In such instances, the ball is positioned at a distance from the goal and an offensive player is allowed a "free kick" to attempt to kick the ball into the goal. Players of the defending team are allowed to stand at a distance from the kicker to form a blocking wall or obstacle between the kicker and the goal, making it more difficult for the kicker to score a goal. [0004] During practice of such free kicks, one or more non-kicking players may be used to form the blocking wall. This, however, prevents the non-kicking players from participating in more beneficial practice exercises. [0005] Blocking walls of various designs have been used in the past. These devices are non-collapsible and may be quite heavy, making them unwieldy and difficult to transport and store. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which: [0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a playing field employing a plurality of obstacle devices constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0008] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of one of the devices of FIG. 1; [0009] FIG. 3A is a side elevational view of a base of the device of FIG. 2; [0010] FIG. 3B is a front elevational view of the base of FIG. 3A; [0011] FIG. 4 is a elevational view of a support member of the device of FIG. 2; [0012] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a head piece of the device of FIG. 2; [0013] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of an obstacle device constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention; [0014] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the base of the device of FIG. 6, shown partially cross sectioned; and [0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a net extended between two support members constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a blocking wall 10 formed from obstacle devices 12 is positioned in front of a soccer goal 14 located on a playing field to serve as an obstacle during practice kicks. The wall 10 may be formed by positioning the obstacle devices 12 in a side-by-side relationship, as shown. Other configurations could be used, as well, such as a spaced apart or staggered configuration for use as a dribble course wherein a player moves between the devices. Although the wall 10 and obstacle devices 12 are shown being used in practice for soccer, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art the devices 12 may be useful and have application to other sports and activities, as well, and should not be limited to any particular use or activity. [0017] Referring to FIG. 2, the obstacle device 12 includes a support member 16, which is held by a base 18 for holding the support member 16 in a generally vertical or upright manner with respect to the playing field. [0018] Referring to FIG. 3, the base 18 may include one or more downwardly extending stake members 20. The stake member(s) 20 has a base crossbar or member 22, which may be oriented generally transverse to the stake member 20. As shown in the present embodiment, the cross member 22 may be a generally flat, rectangular member that is oriented in a plane generally perpendicular to the single stake member 20, with the stake member 20 being generally centered on the cross member 22. The cross member 22 may have other configurations, however. [0019] The sides 24 of the cross member or footplate 22 that project outward from the stake member 20 may serve as steps or contact areas wherein a user may place their foot to facilitate insertion of the stake 10 of the base 18 into the ground or other support media. The end of the stake member 20 may also be pointed or tapered to facilitate such insertion. The stake member or members 20 should project a sufficient distance such that the supported obstacle device 12 cannot be readily dislodged or knocked over during normal use. The cross member 22 may also serve as a stop for limiting the staking or insertion of the stake member 20 into the ground and may further stabilize the base 18 once it is inserted. [0020] Extending upward from the cross member 22, opposite the stake member 20, is a neck 26 of the base 18. The neck 26 may be formed into two sections consisting of an inner member 28 and an outer member 30. The inner member 28 may be an upwardly extending continuation of the stake member 20, which may be a single piece, with the crossbar 22 being joined to midsection of the stake. The outer member 30 may be a tubular member that receives the inner member 28, and is joined thereto, such as at the welds 32. The outer member 30 may extend upwardly beyond the inner member 28 to provide a support engagement portion 34. The support engagement portion 34 is provided with a detent 36 or other releasable locking device, which may be in the form of a spring-loaded ball detent that is biased outwardly so that it projects beyond the outer surface of the engagement portion 34. Continue reading about Playing field obstacle kit and method... Full patent description for Playing field obstacle kit and method Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Playing field obstacle kit and method patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Playing field obstacle kit and method or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Baseball swing training aid Next Patent Application: Sports swing training apparatus and method Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Playing field obstacle kit and method patent info. 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