The present invention relates to sports goals and ball return devices for sports and, more particularly, to a combination multi-sports net and rebounder.
Various types of netted enclosures for use as sports goals or capture devices are known in the art. Such devices typically include a loose fitting net which is draped about a frame to create an enclosure which is open to the front. Balls are directed into the enclosure during game play or practice drills. Other devices for rebounding balls are also known in the art. These devices typically include an elastic net which is stretched taut about a frame, creating a rebound or “pitchback” effect when balls are directed into the net.
An improved system which functions as both a ball capture device and a rebounder is desired.
According to one aspect, the present disclosure includes a ball sports practice device comprising a forward facing ball capture enclosure and a rear facing ball rebound structure. The capture enclosure comprises a first frame having a substantially rectangular front opening to an interior capture area. The interior capture area is defined by a substantially vertical rear capture surface and two vertical side capture surfaces extending outward on opposing sides of said rear capture surface. The rebound structure is arranged on the device on the side opposite the capture area of said first frame and comprises a second frame attached to the first frame and a rebound net stretched across the second frame. The capture enclosure and the rebound structure define an angle between them which may be adjusted to support the device at a plurality of use positions on a support surface.
Preferably the ball sports practice device can be used as a soccer or other ball sport goal or as a ball rebound device.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved sports ball capture and rebound device.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and descriptions provided herein.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the principles being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
In some embodiments, support arms 240 and 242 extend downward from the approximate vertical midpoints of sidemembers 212 and 214 of the rear frame 206 as shown. Adjustable locking hinges 244 and 246 connect the support arms 240 and 242 to the sidemembers 212 and 214. The angle of the support arms 240 and 242 maintains or limits the angle θ when the device 100 is in a use position as shown in
The term “surface” as used herein with respect to components of the device 100 shall be understood to mean any continuous or non-continuous boundary material, including, but not limited to, fabric, mesh, netting, chain link, or the like. It shall be understood that the terms “front,” “forward,” and “rear” as used herein are for convenient reference only and do not define an overall placement or orientation of the device 100 with respect to a user.
As shown in
Netted portions 180 and 182 are wrapped around the generally triangular side areas 160 and 162, respectively to create side capture surfaces 184 and 186 respectively. In addition, fabric portion 188 extends between the sidemembers 144 and 146 to create a rear capture surface 190. Together, the capture surfaces 184, 186 and 190 define an interior capture area 191. In a preferred embodiment, the side capture surfaces 184 and 186 comprise an open net material and the rear capture surface 190 comprises a heavier tarp material which is loosely fitted to allow captured balls to drop down instead of forcefully rebounding. However, the capture surfaces 184, 186 and 190 may also be constructed of other materials including netting, fabric, plastic, wood, metal and the like. As the incoming balls drop down after striking the rear capture surface 190, they will be directed outward toward the user due to the downward and outward angle of the rear capture surface 190 and the sidemembers 144 and 146.
In certain embodiments, the capture side capture surfaces 184 and 186 and rear capture surface 190 are sewn or otherwise attached together as a single unit. This allows the front edges of the side capture surfaces 184 and 186 to be attached to the sidemembers 140 and 142, respectively, thereby eliminating the need to attach the rear capture surface 190 directly to the sidemembers 144 and 146. In other embodiments, the capture surfaces 184, 186 and 190 may be provided as separate pieces and attached to the front frame 114 individually.
The side capture surfaces 184 and 186 are preferably attached to the sidemembers 140 and 142 using sleeves 181 and 183. In one embodiment, the sleeves 181 and 183 include hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, ties, or other appropriate securing devices which enable the sleeves 181 and 183 to be wrapped around the sidemembers 140 and 142 and secured as shown. In other embodiments, where the sidemembers 140 and 142 are separable from the front frame 114, the sleeves 181 and 183 may be slid onto the sidemembers 140 and 142 prior to installation.
A slack curtain 194 may be optionally included to further dampen the force of incoming balls as they enter the capture area 110. The slack curtain 194 is preferably attached to the upper cross member 152 using sleeve 197 and hangs freely as shown
As shown in
As shown in
The rebound surface 205 is preferably attached to rear frame 206 using hooks 230 inserted into holes 231. The rebound surface 205 is sized such that when attached to the frame 206, it will become rigid or taut to create a forceful rebound effect on incoming balls. In the illustrated embodiment, elastic cording 232 is woven taut between the outer edges of the rebound surface 205 and the hooks 230 as shown to increase the rebound effect.
As mentioned above, support arms 240 and 242 extend downward from the approximate vertical midpoints of sidemembers 212 and 214, respectively, with lower crossmember 243 connecting the support arms 240 and 242 for stability as shown. In a preferred embodiment, hinges 244 and 246 connect the support arms 240 and 242 to the sidemembers 212 and 214. The hinges 244 and 246 may also be configured to lock at one more selected angles, for example using locking pins. It shall be understood that other types of adjustable locking hinges or angle locking mechanisms may also be used to adjust, maintain or limit the angle of support arms 240 and 242 relative to rear frame 206.
Wheels 260 and 262 are preferably attached to the lower ends of the sidemembers 212 and 214 to allow the bottom of the rear frame 206 to move freely as the angle of the rebound structure 204 is transitioned between use positions, for example from an upright use position (as shown in
It shall be understood that other mechanisms may be used to control or limit the spreading action. For example, instead of contacting the ground, the lower ends of the support arms 240 and 242 may be attached directly to the sidemembers 140 and 142, respectively. In other embodiments, adjustable chains, straps, or bars may be connected between the front frame 114 and the rear frame 206.
Wheels 141 and 143 may be optionally provided near the lower ends of the sidemembers 140 and 142 of the front frame 114. However, unlike wheels 260 and 262, wheels 141 and 143 are preferably positioned such that there is a vertical gap 12 (as shown in
To transport the device 100, the user pulls forward on the upper portion of the front frame 114 until the wheels 141 and 143 make contact with the support surface 10 as shown in
In certain embodiments, the lower end of the sidemembers 140 and 142 may include knee portions 145 and 147 which are angled downward and rearward from the sidemembers 140 and connect to the bottom ends of the sidemembers 144 and 146 as shown. The angle of the knee portions provides clearance and allows the wheels 141 and 143 to be raised above the support surface when the device 100 is in use. Yet the knee portions provide the effect of decreasing the degree to which the user must tilt the front frame 114 in order for the wheels 141 and 143 to be lowered into contact with the support surface 10 for transport. The use of the knee portions 145 and 147 also allows for the lower portions of the side capture surfaces 184 and 186 to be increased, providing a more effective capture effect for balls directed to the lower portions of the enclosure 110.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120157239 A1 | Jun 2012 | US |