STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
The various aspects and embodiments described herein relate to a pickleball target net and a system and method of using thereof.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. The game is played inside a pickleball court where players use pickleball paddles to strike the ball on the other side of the court and score points. Players may want to improve upon some of their skills in such sport.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved device, system, and method for practicing the sport of pickleball.
BRIEF SUMMARY
The various embodiments and aspects disclosed herein address the needs discussed above, discussed below and those that are known in the art. A pickleball target net and a method of using thereof is disclosed. The pickleball target net may have a target membrane attached between a modular frame using a plurality of binding mechanisms that extend from the target membrane. The target membrane may be made out of a fabric and have a plurality of target holes of different sizes where each target hole may have a separate netting to create a pocket for receiving balls. The modular frame may have sides made out of a plurality of shafts that are connected to each other by T-connectors, and the sides of the frame may be connected to each other by 3-way elbow connectors. The modular frame may also have a plurality of frame legs that may be interchangeable by longer frame legs. Consequently, the pickleball target net may be inclined or stood upright using the longer frame legs. The pickleball target net may be used to practice different swings used in a pickleball game using a pickleball paddle. A user may place the pickleball target net in different positions on the pickleball court and try to swing balls inside the target holes. The user may try to swing a ball inside one of the target holes of the pickleball target net to practice the accuracy of his shots.
More particularly, a pickleball target net is disclosed with a modular frame having an open area between a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side that are coupled to each other at each corner of the modular frame using 3-way elbow connectors, each of the 3-way elbow connectors having a receiving opening for a modular leg of the modular frame, the modular leg being interchangeable with a longer modular leg. In some embodiments the pickleball target net may have a targeting membrane made from a fabric material stretched and removably attached between the modular frame via a plurality of binding mechanisms that cover some of a periphery of the targeting membrane, the targeting membrane having a plurality of target holes of different sizes.
In some embodiments, each of the front side, back side, left side, and right side of the modular frame may be made from two cylindrical shafts attached to each other using a T-connector. In some embodiments, each T-connector may have an input opening to receive a middle modular leg. In some embodiments, each of the cylindrical shafts may have a hollow center.
In some embodiments, each of the plurality of target holes may have an independent netting making a receiving pocket for a pickleball. In some embodiments, the plurality of target holes may come in small, medium, and large sizes. In some embodiments, the plurality of target holes may make a pyramid shape on the targeting membrane.
In some embodiments, the binding mechanisms may be an extension of the targeting membrane having Velcro straps.
In some embodiments, each of the plurality of target holes may have a colored outline based on the different sizes of the target holes.
In some embodiments, the fabric material may be polyester. In some embodiments, the fabric material may be 420D Oxford fabric.
Furthermore, a method of practicing striking a pickleball using a pickleball paddle on a pickleball court is disclosed. The method may include assembling a pickleball target net by connecting a front side, a back side, a left side, and a right side of a modular frame of the pickleball target net together using a plurality of 3-way elbow connectors at each corner of the modular frame, and stretching and removably attaching a targeting membrane made from a fabric material between the modular frame, the targeting membrane having a plurality of target holes having differently sized dimensions. The method may further include placing the pickleball target net on a first side of the pickleball court, the first side being divided by a low net from a second side of the pickleball court. The method may further include standing behind a non-volley zone on the second side of the pickleball court. The method may further include striking the pickleball using the pickleball paddle over the low net of the pickleball court and into one of the plurality of target holes of the pickleball target net.
In some embodiments, the non-volley zone may be a first non-volley zone and the pickleball target net may be placed inside a second non-volley zone of the pickleball court to practice dinking the pickleball.
In some embodiments, the pickleball target net may be placed on the first side of the pickleball court such that the plurality of target holes lay horizontal relative to the pickleball court.
In some embodiments, the pickleball target net may placed on the first side of the pickleball court such that the plurality of target holes stands vertical relative to the pickleball court.
In some embodiments, the non-volley zone may be a first non-volley zone and the pickleball target net may be placed behind a second non-volley zone of the pickleball court. In some embodiments, the standing behind the first non-volley zone may also include standing behind a baseline of the second side of the pickleball court to practice serving the pickleball.
In some embodiments, the assembling of the pickleball target net further includes attaching modular legs to the plurality of 3-way elbow connectors. In some embodiments, the modular legs attached to the back side of the modular frame may be longer than the modular legs attached to the front side of the modular frame.
In some embodiments, the assembling of the pickleball target net may further include assembling each of the front side, the back side, the left side, and the right side of the modular frame by connecting two cylindrical shafts together using a T-connector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
FIG. 1 shows a user practicing his paddle-swing accuracy using a pickleball target net;
FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the pickleball target net;
FIG. 2B shows a top view of the pickleball target net;
FIG. 3 shows a disassembled and exploded view of the pickleball target net;
FIG. 4A shows the pickleball target net having different dimensioned interchangeable frame legs;
FIG. 4B shows the pickleball target net orientated in a vertical position relative to the ground;
FIG. 5A shows the usage of the pickleball target net in a first practicing drill on a pickleball court;
FIG. 5B shows the usage of the pickleball target net in a second practicing drill on the pickleball court;
FIG. 5C shows the usage of the pickleball target net in a third practicing drill on the pickleball court;
FIG. 6A shows another top view of the pickleball target net with different orientations of the target holes;
FIG. 6B shows another top view of the pickleball target net with different orientations of the target holes; and
FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a process for using the pickleball target net to practice the accuracy of striking a pickleball using a pickleball paddle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the figures, a pickleball target net 100 and a method of using thereof is disclosed. As shown in FIGS. 1, a user may utilize the pickleball target net 100 either recreationally (e.g., at parties and festivities) or as a practice drill (e.g., on a pickleball court) to make balls 520 inside one of the target holes 102a-c. As shown in FIGS. 2A-B, the pickleball target net 100 may have a target membrane 104 attached to a modular frame 105. As shown in FIG. 3, the target membrane 104 may be attached to the modular frame 105 via a plurality of binding mechanisms in the form of membrane extensions 304a-b, and the sides of the modular frame 105 may be made of a plurality of shafts 108 connected to each other using different types of connectors 112a-b. As shown in FIG. 4A, the pickleball target net 100 may be inclined using longer frame legs 414 on at least one side of the device. As shown in FIG. 4B, the pickleball target net 100 may be positioned in an upright orientation. As shown in FIGS. 5A-B, the pickleball target net 100 may be placed in different positions on a pickleball court 500 for a user to practice different drills of making a ball 520 in one of the target holes using a pickleball paddle 518. As shown in FIG. 5C, the pickleball target net 100 may be stood in the upright position, for example by using longer frame legs on the side of the device touching the ground. As shown in FIGS. 6A-B, the target holes 102a-c may have different orientations on the target membrane 104. As shown in FIG. 7, the pickleball target net 100 may be used in a process for practicing making balls inside the device.
Referring specifically now to FIG. 1, a user practicing his paddle-swing accuracy using a pickleball target net 100 is shown. The pickleball target net 100 may have a plurality of target holes 102a-c for the user to try and hit a pickleball 520 inside such target holes 102a-c using a pickleball paddle 518. By way of example and not limitation, the target holes 102a-c may come in different sizes to allow the user to practice the accuracy of his paddle-swings. By way of example and not limitation, the pickleball target net 100 may lay horizontal relative to the ground or may be inclined. By way of example and not limitation, the inclining may be done using a longer dimensioned frame legs 414 on one end of the pickleball target net 100. The pickleball target net 100 may be used recreationally in different settings or as a training equipment used in a pickleball court, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the recreational use of the pickleball target net 100 may take place at parties and festivities where other games, such as cornhole or cup pong, are played.
Referring now to FIG. 2A, a perspective view of the pickleball target net 100 is shown. The pickleball target net 100 may be defined by a target membrane 104 with a plurality of target holes 102a-c extended in the center opening gap of a modular frame 105. By way of example and not limitation, the pickleball target net 100 may have an overall square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or circular shape.
With further reference to FIG. 3 that shows the disassembled and exploded view of the pickleball target net 100, the target membrane 104 may be a piece of fabric having target holes 102a-c on its planar surface area and having a plurality of binding mechanisms on the sides of the membrane to attach to the modular frame 105. By way of example and not limitation, the target membrane 104 may have a square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or circular shape. By way of example and not limitation, the target membrane 104 may be made from a nonwoven or woven fabric. By way of example and not limitation, the target membrane 104 may be made from polyester, olefin, nylon, microfiber, canvas, or hemp fabric. By way of example and not limitation, the target membrane 104 may be made from 420D Oxford fabric, 210D or 600D Oxford fabric.
Referring back to FIG. 2A, the target holes 102a-c may come in different sizes with the smaller sized holes being more challenging for the user to hit a ball through such hole. By way of example and not limitation, the target holes 102a-c may come in large, medium, and small sized holes. By way of example and not limitation, the target holes 102a-c may have perimeters that are circular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or star shaped. By way of example and not limitation, the target holes 102a-c may make a pyramid shape on the target membrane 104 with the large target holes 102a at the base of the pyramid, the medium target holes 102b in the middle of the pyramid, and the small target hole(s) 102c at the top of the pyramid. In the same example, there may exist three large target holes 102a, two medium target holes 102b, and a single small target hole 102c.
Other orientation of the target holes 102a-c on the target membrane 104 is also contemplated herein, such as the target holes orientated in a diamond shape or circle shape. As shown in FIG. 6A, and by way of example and not limitation, the diamond shaped orientation of the target holes 102a-c may be achieved by adding a set of medium target holes 102b below the base of the pyramid shown in FIG. 2B, which are the large target holes 102a, and one or more small holes 102c below the added set of medium target holes 102b. By way of example and not limitation, the added medium target holes 102b may be two and the added small target hole may be one. Consequently, the middle of the diamond shape on the target membrane 104 has the large target holes 102a and the size of the target holes shrink moving towards the top and bottom tip of the diamond. By way of example and not limitation, the sizes of the target holes 102a-c may be smaller when compared to the example shown in FIG. 2B since more target holes 102a-c are used in the example shown in FIG. 6A. The pickleball target net 100 may still have large, medium, and small target holes 102a-c but each of the sizes may have become smaller.
As shown in FIG. 6B, and by way of example and not limitation, the circle shaped orientation of the target holes 102a-c on the target membrane 104 may be achieved by aligning a plurality of target holes, for example medium holes 102b, in a circle on the target membrane 104. By way of example and not limitation, in the center of the circle, there may exist a small target hole 102c. The different orientations and the usage of different sized target holes 102a-c may provide the user with additional challenge in practicing the accuracy of hitting the ball in the desired target holes 102a-c. By way of example and not limitation, the sizes of the target holes 102b-c may be smaller when compared to the example shown in FIG. 2B since more target holes 102b-c are used in the example shown in FIG. 6B.
As shown in FIG. 2B, and by way of example and not limitation, each target hole 102a-c may have a net 208 forming a pocket attached around the periphery of the target hole on the bottom side of the target membrane 104. The net 208 of each target hole 102a-c may receive and capture the balls shot inside the target holes. By way of example and not limitation, the depth of each net 208 may range between 2 to 7 inches. Alternatively, all of the target holes 102a-c may be covered by one layer of net on the bottom side of target membrane 104 where the one net layer surrounds around all of the target holes.
By way of example and not limitation, each target hole 102a-c may have a colored outline 103 on the top side of the target membrane 104. The colored outlines 103 may clearly divide and categorize the differently sized target holes 102a-c, with each differently sized target hole having a specific outline of color. By way of example and not limitation, the large target holes 102a may have a blue colored outline, the medium target holes 102b may have a yellow colored outline, and the small target hole(s) 102c may have a red colored outlines. Other colors from the ROYGBV spectrum may be used in substitution of the colors described herein. By way of example and not limitation, each differently sized target holes 102a-c may have a score quantity printed next to the target hole. By way of example and not limitation, each large target hole 102a may have a score between 10-25, each medium target hole 102b may have a score between 30-50, and each small target hole 102c may have a score between 65-100.
With reference to FIG. 2B, and by way of example and not limitation, the large target hole 102a may have a diameter 202a in the range of 8.5 to 10.5 inches, the medium target holes 102b may each have a diameter 202b in the range of 7.0 to 8.49 inches, and the small target hole(s) 102c may have a diameter 202c in the range of 5.0 to 6.9 inches. The dimensions of the target holes 102a-c may be determined based on how challenging or easy the usage of the pickleball target net 100 should be designed. By way of example and not limitation, each target hole 102a-c may have a perimeter that is circular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or star shaped. The shape of the target holes 102a-c may affect the probability and difficulty of making a ball inside the holes.
By way of example and not limitation, the binding mechanisms shown in FIG. 3 may be used such that the target membrane 104 is removably attached to the modular frame 105. By way of example and not limitation, there may exist a plurality of binding mechanisms around the outer periphery of the target membrane 104 that attach the membrane to the modular frame 105 of the pickleball target net 100. As shown in FIG. 3, and by way of example and not limitation, the binding mechanisms may be in the form of membrane extensions 304a-b, where some or all of such extensions may have a first and second binding elements 302 that attach and fasten together. The membrane extensions 304a-b may loop and cover around the modular shafts 108 of the frame 104, with some or all of the first and second binding elements 302 of the membrane extensions 304a-b being capable of attaching and fastening together to attach the target membrane 104 to the frame 105. By way of example and not limitation, each side of the target membrane 104 may have one to four membrane extensions 304a-b, which FIG. 3 shows each side of the target membrane 104 having two membrane extensions 304a-b between the T-connector 112a in the middle of each side of the target membrane 104. As shown in FIG. 3, and by way of example and not limitation, some of the sides of the target membrane 104 may have closed membrane extensions 304b and the other sides may have membrane extensions 304a that may be fastened and unfastened using the binding elements 302.
By way of example and not limitation, two of the four sides of the target membrane 104 that are opposite to each other may have the closed loop membrane extensions 304b and the other two sides of the target membrane 104 that are opposite to each other may have the fastenable membrane extensions 304a. Alternatively, all of the sides of the target membrane 104 may have closed loop membrane extensions or fastenable membrane extensions. By way of example and not limitation, the closed membrane extensions 304b may form cylindrical pocket openings where the modular shafts 108 of the frame 105 may fit inside such pocket openings. By way of example and not limitation, the fastenable membrane extensions 304a may be rectangular in the unfolded orientation and have the first and second binding elements 302 positioned on the longitudinal edges of the membrane extension 304a such that the extension may be folded to make a cylindrical pocket opening for the modular shafts 108 of the frame 105. By way of example and not limitation, the membrane extensions 304a-b may be made from the same material that the target membrane 104 is made from. By way of example and not limitation, the first and second binding elements 302 may be Velcro straps, a plurality of buttons (e.g., snap buttons), zippers, or a plurality magnets.
Referring back to FIG. 2A to describe the modular frame 105, and by way of example and not limitation, the shape of the modular frame 105 holding the target membrane 104 may be square shaped. Other frame shapes are also contemplated herein such as rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, or circular shape. The modular frame 105 may have an empty center for the target membrane 104 to be attached therebetween. By way of example and not limitation, each side of the modular frame 105 (e.g., front, back, left, and right sides) may have the same features and components as the other sides of the frame. By way of example and not limitation, the different sides of the modular frame 105 may have different features and components, described elsewhere herein, when compared to the other sides of the frame. Although the shafts 108 and the legs 114, 414 of the frame 105 are described herein as being cylindrical, they may have other cross-sections such as square or triangular.
As shown in FIG. 3, and by way of example and not limitation, each side of the modular frame 105 may have two cylindrical shafts 108 connected to each other in the middle of the frame side with a T-connector 112a. By way of example and not limitation, the perpendicular bottom opening of the T-connector 112a not used to connect the cylindrical shafts 108 may receive a cylindrical leg 114 designed for lifting the pickleball target net 100 off the ground. By way of example and not limitation, each T-connector 112a on each side of the modular frame 105 may be rotatable in addition to attaching the cylindrical shafts 108 together. As such, the cylindrical legs 114 attached to the T-connectors 112a may rotate and change angular position. Such rotation of a T-connector 112a and cylindrical leg 114 (or long cylindrical leg 414 as shown in FIG. 4B) may be necessary to tuck the cylindrical leg under the target membrane 104 to be out of sight (see FIG. 4A) or rotate the cylindrical leg to act as a stabilizer (see FIG. 4B) By way of example and not limitation, the other end of the cylindrical leg 114 may have an end cap 116 designed for stabilizing the deployment of the frame and creating traction between the ground and the leg 114. Alternatively, one long cylindrical shaft may be used as the side of the frame and the T-connector 112a and the center cylindrical leg 114 may be omitted.
The cylindrical shafts 108 may traverse through the cylindrical pockets created by the membrane extensions 304a-b of the target membrane 104. By way of example and not limitation, the cylindrical shafts 108 may be made from a rigid or semi-rigid polymer material for a more lightweight design. By way of example and not limitation, the cylindrical shafts 108 may be PVC pipes having a hollow center, where the hollow center allows for a lightweight design. Alternatively, the cylindrical shafts may have a solid center, where the solid center allows for a more durable modular frame 105. By way of example and not limitation, the cylindrical shafts 108 may be made from a metal alloy such as aluminum, steel, or titanium for a more durable design, where the cylindrical shaft may have a hollow or solid metal center. By way of example and not limitation, the cylindrical shafts 108 may be made out of wood for more environmentally friendly manufacturing.
By way of example and not limitation, the end of the cylindrical shafts 108 that extend to the corners of the frame 105 and the pickleball target net 100, in general, may be inserted in 3-way elbow connectors 112b designed to connect and couple the sides of the frame. The 3-way elbow connector 112b may define the corners of the modular frame 105. By way of example and not limitation, the receiving end of the 3-way elbow connector 112b that is not used to connect the cylindrical shafts 108 may be used to insert a cylindrical leg 114 designed for lifting the pickleball target net 100 off the ground. By way of example and not limitation, the other end of the cylindrical leg 114 may have an end cap 116 designed for stabilizing the deployment of the frame 105 and creating traction between the ground and the leg 114. Consequently, and as shown in FIGS. 2-3, each side of the modular frame 105 may have 3 cylindrical legs 114.
If the target membrane 104 of the pickleball target net 100 having the target holes 102a-c needs to be inclined, then different dimensioned legs may be incorporated on at least one side of the modular frame 105. The inclining may be necessary to alter the orientation of the target holes 102a-c and provide a different challenge for the user in shooting balls inside the target holes with the pickleball paddle. As shown in FIG. 4A, and by way of example and not limitation, the back side of the modular frame that is opposite to the front side may have long legs 414 inserted in the 3-way elbow connectors 112b and/or the T-connector 112a of the back side, the long legs 414 being longer than the conventional legs 114 of the front side. Consequently, the target membrane 104 may be inclined. As shown in FIG. 4A, and by way of example and not limitation, the middle cylindrical legs 114 attached to the T-connectors 112a of the left and right sides of the modular frame 105, which would not contact the ground in the inclined position of the pickleball target net 100, may be rotated to be tucked under the target membrane 104. Such rotation of the aforementioned cylindrical legs 114 may be done by rotating the T-connectors 112a that these legs are attached thereto. As described elsewhere herein, the T-connectors 112a may be free to rotate even when in the attached arrangement of the modular frame. With the middle cylindrical legs 114 tucked under the target membrane 104, there exists a less chance of an object getting entangled with the pickleball target net 100 in addition to making the device more aesthetically appealing in the inclined position.
As shown in FIG. 4B, and by way of example and not limitation, the long legs 414a-b may also be used to stand the pickleball target net 100 upright such that the target membrane 104 and the target holes 102a-c are vertical and perpendicular to the ground. The long legs 414a-b may be inserted in the 3-way elbow connectors 112b and/or the T-connector 112a of the side of the pickleball target net 100 contacting the ground (e.g., the front side of the pickleball target net 100 opposite to the back side that was described with respect to FIG. 4A). The pickleball target net 100 may then be stood upright since the length of the long legs 414 extend across the ground and provide a foundation for the pickleball target net 100 to remain in the upright position, as shown in FIG. 4B. The upright position may be necessary to alter the orientation of the target holes 102a-c and provide a different challenge for the user in shooting balls inside the holes with the pickleball paddle. By way of example and not limitation, the T-connector 112a of the side of the pickleball target net 100 contacting the ground may be rotated such that the middle long-leg 414b extends along the ground in an opposite direction relative to the side long-legs 414a that are connected to the 3-way elbow connectors 112b of the side of the frame contacting the ground. As such, the middle long-leg 414b may be facing forward and on the same surface side of the target membrane 104 used to make balls inside the target holes 102a-c, while the side long-legs 414a may be facing rearwards and on the same surface side of the target membrane 104 where the nettings sag towards to create pockets for the target holes 102a-c. Such orientation of the long legs 414a-b relative to each other, and also to the ground, may provide a more stable foundation for the pickleball target net 100 to stand vertically.
As shown in FIG. 4A, and by way of example and not limitation, the length 404 of the long leg 414 may range between 10-14 inches and the length 402 of the conventional leg 114 may range between 4-8 inches. As shown in FIG. 2B, and by way of example and not limitation, the length 204 and the width 206 of the modular frame 105 and the pickleball target net 100, in general, may be the same. Alternatively, the length 204 and width 206 of the modular frame 105 and the pickleball target net, in general, may be different. By way of example and not limitation, the length 204 may range between 2-4.5 feet, and the width 206 may range between 2-4.5 feet.
Referring now to FIG. 5A, the usage of the pickleball target net 100 in a first practicing drill on a pickleball court 500 is shown. By way of example and not limitation, the pickleball court 500 may be a rectangular 44 feet by 20 feet court that is defined by two side lines 502 and two base lines 504. The court is divided into two sides by a low net 506. Each side of the court that is divided by the low net 506 has a center line 514 extending from the middle of the base line 504 towards the low net 506 and cutting off when reaching the non-volley lines 516. Each of the non-volley lines 516 extends from one side line 502 to the other side line 502 and create non-volley zones 512 (i.e., kitchens) on each side of the low net 506. The center lines 514 also divide the portions of the court that are not the non-volley zones 512 into left service courts 510 and right service courts 508. Before starting the practice drill, the pickleball target net 100 may have to be assembled by putting together the modular pieces of the modular frame and attaching the target membrane therebetween, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, the striking of the ball 520 with the pickleball paddle 518 in the drills described elsewhere herein may be done as an underhand, overhand, backhand, or conventional striking. Also, the user may practice dinking, driving, ground striking, volleying, or serving the ball 520, to name a few types of striking. Although the pickleball target net 100 is described herein with the pickleball court 500, the device may be used outside of the court, such as for recreational use at parties and festivities.
As shown in FIG. 5A, and by way of example and not limitation, the first drill may be using the pickleball target net 100 to practice the accuracy of dinking the pickleball 520 on the other side of the court. Dinking the pickleball 520 may mean hitting the ball with a drop shot using the pickleball paddle 518 so that the ball crosses the low net 506 and lands in the non-volley zone 512 and close to the net. The pickleball target net 100 may be placed in the non-volley zone 512 on the opposite side of the pickleball court 500 that the user is standing. The user may stand behind the non-volley line 516 in the service courts on his side of the pickleball court 500 either on the service court directly opposite to pickleball target net 100 (e.g., right service court 508), as shown in FIG. 5A, or the service court diagonal to the pickleball target net 100 (e.g., left service court 510). The user may then practice dinking the ball 520 using the pickleball paddle 518 and trying to make the ball inside one of the target holes of the pickleball target net 100, preferably the smaller target hole. By way of example and not limitation, the dinking may be done with an underhand or overhand stroke of the pickleball paddle 518. The user may keep track of his accuracy by first determining which target hole of the pickleball target net 100 he wants to make the ball 520 inside and then attempt to shoot the ball inside such hole using the pickleball paddle 518. By way of example and not limitation, the pickleball target net 100 may lay flat relative to the ground or stood in the upright position.
Referring to FIG. 5B, the usage of the pickleball target net 100 in a second practicing drill on the pickleball court 500 is shown. By way of example and not limitation, the second drill may be practicing serving a pickleball 520 with the pickleball paddle 518 using the pickleball target net 100. Every pickleball game begins with a serve, and so the practicing of the second drill may be important. A pickleball serve may be served underhand and behind the baseline 504. The ball 520 needs to cross the low net 506 and into the opposing team's service court diagonally. If the serve is done on the right service court 508, then the ball may need to land in the right service court 508 of the opposite side of the court 500.
As shown in FIG. 5B, and by way of example and not limitation, the pickleball target net 100 may be placed in the same service court that the user is standing behind on the opposite side of the court 500. If the user is standing behind the right service court 508, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pickleball target net 100 may be placed within the right service court 508 on the opposite side of the court 500. The user may then practice serving the ball 520 using the pickleball paddle 518 and trying to make the ball inside one of the holes of the pickleball target net 100, preferably the smaller hole. By way of example and not limitation, the serving may be done with an underhand stroke of the pickleball paddle 518. The user may keep track of his accuracy by first determining which hole of the pickleball target net 100 he wants to make the ball 520 inside and then attempt to shoot the ball inside such hole using the pickleball paddle 518. The pickleball target net 100 may be lay flat relative to the ground or stood in the upright position.
Other practice drills are contemplated herein also. By way of example and not limitation, such practice drills may include the user standing within one of the service courts 508, 510 and the pickleball target net 100 being placed within one of the service courts 508, 510 on the opposite side of the court 500, either the service court directly opposite to the user or the one diagonal to him. The user may then practice trying to make the ball 520 inside one of the holes of the pickleball target net 100, preferably the smaller hole. The pickleball target net 100 may lay flat relative to the ground or stood in the upright position.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a block diagram of a process for using the pickleball target net 100 to practice the accuracy of striking a pickleball is shown. In block 702, the process involves assembling the pickleball target net 100. By way of example and not limitation, the assembling of the pickleball target net 100 may involve attaching together the components of such device as described elsewhere herein that includes assembling the modular frame 105 (see FIG. 3) and attaching the target membrane 104 therebetween. By way of example and not limitation, the assembling of the pickleball target net 100 may involve assembling each side of the modular frame 105 by connecting the cylindrical shafts 108 making up each side using the T-connectors 112a. By way of example and not limitation, the target membrane 104 may also be attached to at least some of the sides of the modular frame 105, for example the left and right sides (see FIG. 2-3), by inserting the cylindrical shafts 108 inside the closed membrane extensions 304b (see FIG. 3), described elsewhere herein, prior to connecting to the T-connectors 112a. By way of example and not limitation, the assembling may also involve connecting the sides of the modular frame 105 using the 3-way elbow connectors 112b at each corner of the frame, as described elsewhere herein. The target membrane 104 may then be fully attached to the sides of the frame 105 by attaching the membrane extensions 304a that may be fastened and unfastened around the cylindrical shafts 108 of the front and back side of the pickleball target net 100 using the binding elements 302, such as Velcro straps, as shown in FIG. 3. By way of example and not limitation, the modular legs 114 of the frame 105 that also have end caps 116 may also be attached to the 3-way elbow connectors 112b and T-connectors 112a of the frame 105, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, some of the modular legs that are attached may be longer than the other ones to create an incline targeting surface or even an upright targeting surface, as described elsewhere herein. By way of example and not limitation, some of the T-connectors 112a may be rotated to achieve the features of the inclined or upright position of the pickleball target net 100 using the legs of the modular frame 105, as described elsewhere herein.
In block 704, the process involves placing the pickleball target net 100 in the desired position, specifically in a pickleball court 500 (see FIGS. 5A-C). The pickleball target net 100 may be placed on the court side opposite to where the user would be standing, as described elsewhere herein, where the court sides are divided by the low net 506. By way of example and not limitation, the pickleball target net 100 may be placed anywhere in such court side, such as in the non-volley zone 512, behind the non-volley zone in the left service court 510 or the right service court 508, or even behind the base line 504 of the pickleball court 500. The placement of the pickleball target net 100 may depend on what type of pickleball striking the user wants to practice, as described elsewhere herein, and how challenging the user wants to make the practicing of his accuracy. The farther the pickleball target net 100 is from the court side the user is standing, the harder it may be to make a pickleball inside one of the holes of the pickleball target net 100, especially the smaller sized target holes. By way of example and not limitation, the pickle ball target net 100 may be placed in a flat or upright orientation on the court side.
In block 706, the process involves the user standing in the desired position on his side of the pickleball court 500 (see FIGS. 5A-C). By way of example and not limitation, the user may be standing on the opposite side of the court divided by the low net 506 of where the pickleball target net 100 is positioned. By way of example and not limitation, the user may stand anywhere in such court side, such as in the non-volley zone 512, behind the non-volley zone in the left service court 510 or the right service court 508, or even behind the base line 504 of the pickleball court 500. The standing of the user may depend on what type of pickleball striking the user wants to practice, as described elsewhere herein, and how challenging the user wants to make the practicing of his accuracy. The farther away the user is away from the court side that the pickleball target net 100 is positioned, the harder it may be to make a pickleball 520 inside one of the holes of the pickleball target net 100, especially the smaller sized target holes.
In block 708, the process involves striking the ball 520 inside the pickleball target net 100 using the pickleball paddle 518. By way of example and not limitation, the executing of block 708 may be done with any type of striking with the pickleball paddle 518, such as underhand, overhand, backhand, or conventional striking, to name a few examples. By way of example and not limitation, the striking of the ball 520 may be done to practice different types of ball striking such as dinking, driving, ground striking, volleying, or serving the ball, to name a few examples of striking. By way of example and not limitation, the striking of the ball 520 with the pickleball paddle 518 would shoot the ball towards one of the holes of the pickleball target net 100 and also make the ball cross the low net 506 and into the other side of the pickleball court 500.
The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
Patent Application
20250090922
