CA2277287A1 - Sports practise net for arresting flying projectile objects - Google Patents
Sports practise net for arresting flying projectile objects Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2277287A1 CA2277287A1 CA 2277287 CA2277287A CA2277287A1 CA 2277287 A1 CA2277287 A1 CA 2277287A1 CA 2277287 CA2277287 CA 2277287 CA 2277287 A CA2277287 A CA 2277287A CA 2277287 A1 CA2277287 A1 CA 2277287A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hoop
- net
- target
- overlap
- region
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B63/00—Targets or goals for ball games
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Golf Clubs (AREA)
Abstract
There is disclosed a sports target which comprises a hoop; a net loosely suspended from the hoop and spanning the interior thereof; and a pair of elastic suspension means for suspending the hoop from a cross bar or the like. The hoop is an elongate circular hoop member, the respective ends of which overlap to form a region of overlap within which the hoop member crosses against itself at least twice to form an interlocking hoop structure.
Description
SPORTS PRACTISE NET FOR ARRESTING FLYING PROJECTILE OBJECTS
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to sports and athletics of the type involving a projectile object such as a hurled baseball, hockey puck, soccer ball, golf ball, football or the like. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for practising of such sporting activities, wherein it is desirable to provide a basket or net which catches a projectile to facilitate retrieval by the user. In particular, the preferred field of the invention is for practise in throwing baseballs, softballs and projecting hockey pucks.
Background of the Invention Participants in sporting activities such as baseball, hockey, golf, tennis and other like sports which involves a skilled aim of a projectile such as a baseball, hockey puck, tennis ball, etc., typically devote considerable time to practise of their sport. Since the precision aiming of the projectile is a desired goal of practise, participants devote time to striking or hurling a projectile against a net, backstop or the like. For example, baseball enthusiasts may throw a ball against a suspended netting arrangement which serves as a backstop to retain the thrown ball. Similar arrangements are known for use with soccer balls, hockey pucks, golf balls, and others. By way of example, the following United States patents relate to various netting or basket like arrangements which serve this function, and which are suspended or supported by various means:
For example, United States Patent No. 5,803,841 to Daskoski relates to a square frame, which may be suspended from a crossbar, with a mesh liner. The article is used for receiving baseballs, for pitching practice.
United States Patent No. 5,484,144 to St. Onge discloses a circular hoop and mesh liner, for forming a transportable basketball net.
_2_ United States Patent No. 5,395,122 to Kraemer relates to a game target, which includes a hoop with a net interior. The hoop is supported by a spike, which may be driven into the ground. The article is intended to receive a golf ball driven by a player.
Preferably, several functional requirements are met by a sporting backstop of this general type. First, an appropriate size must be selected. A net which is overly large will not require sufficient skill and accuracy on the part of the user to place the projectile within the net, and will not thus serve the practise function required of the arrangement. However, despite its size, the net must be capable of being firmly and fixedly mounted and supported. This is particularly important for use in sports such as hockey and baseball, in which a ball or puck may travel at a considerable velocity and impact against the backstop with relatively great force. The backstop must be capable of absorbing the impact without tipping over or requiring readjustment by the user. A
further preferred characteristic is that such backstops be capable of double sided operation. That is a ball or puck may be projected at the device from either side, and the device will work equally well from either side. Finally, the apparatus must be particularly strong and durable, both in light of the impacts experienced by the device when serving as a backstop for hockey or baseball and as well by virtue of the general abuse often suffered by sporting equipment.
In light of the above objectives, it is desirable to provide a sporting backstop that may be fabricated relatively simply and inexpensively, and presents a target in the order of 12 inches to 36 inches in diameter. In order for the target to be suitably supported, it is preferably suspended from a frame, cross bar, clothes line, tree limb or the like support, which in turn is suitably supported for the intended activity.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with the objects recited above, the invention comprises in one aspect a sports target for practising baseball, hockey, golf, football and other sport activities which require throwing or otherwise propelling a projectile. The target comprises a hoop, having a netting web loosely slung across the hoop opening;
a pair of elastic suspension means fastened to the hoop, for suspending the hoop from a cross bar or the like;
the hoop being characterized by an elongated hoop member having two ends, the ends overlapping each other and interlocking against each other in the region of overlap to form a generally circular hoop.
Preferably, the hoop is formed from wood, which may be steam formed to form the above structure. The netting is provided with sufficient slack, to form a flexible basket like structure to retain a baseball, softball, puck, etc. projected against the target and into the hoop.
In another preferred aspect, the invention comprises a combination of the target described above, and a preferred frame formed from vertical members having supporting means for supporting the vertical members on a ground surface, the vertical members being spanned by a cross bar, with the elastic suspension members being tied or otherwise fastened to the cross bar.
Having thus generally characterized the invention, the invention will now be described by way of a detailed description of the preferred embodiment, by reference to the accompanying drawings.
Detailed description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus, including the target, suspension members and frame;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the target portion of the apparatus, showing the frame and netting portions;
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a portion of the hoop, showing the region of overlap between the ends of the hoop member.
Detailed description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the figures, the invention comprises in general terms a sports target 10, suspended from a frame 12. The target 10 is formed from a wooded hoop 14, which supports a loose netting 16, which spans the interior of the hoop. The netting 16 has sufficient slack to form a basket like structure with the hoop 14, which when the hoop is suspended in the vertical orientation shown in the figures, permits a portion of the netting to dangle slightly below the hoop. As will be seen, the netting has sufficient slack to retain a baseball, hockey puck or the like which is propelled at the target.
The target 10 is suspended from the frame 12, by means of a pair of spaced apart, elastic suspension means 20, which preferably are formed from elastic webbing which is tied at its upper end to the frame 12, and at the lower end to the hoop 14. The suspension means incorporate sufficient elasticity to permit the target to absorb a portion of the impact from a projectile, thereby preventing damage to the target.
Conveniently, the netting may be formed by any suitable netting such as nylon, twine and string or the like, having a modulus of about '/z inch, which is suitable for trapping most flying sports projectiles.
Turning to the frame 12, this is conveniently formed from a pair of spaced apart, vertical supports 24, spanned by a cross bar 26, from which is suspended the suspension means 20. The supports are in turn supported on the ground by weighted feet 28. Alternatively, the feet 28 may be formed from an elongate horizontal member which rests on the ground and supports the frame in a generally vertical position. The frame is sufficiently open to permit a ball or other projectile to be thrown at the target from either side of the target with equal convenience, although in the figures shown herein, the target is shown only from a first side, it will be understood that the arrangement is essentially identical when seen from the opposing side.
Turning specifically to the hoop portion of the target, this is preferably formed from a hard wood such as ash, oak or the like. The hoop may be formed from an elongate member, which is bent by conventional means into a hoop form. The respective ends 30 of the wooden member overlap each other to form a region of overlap 32. Within this region, the ends of the wooden member cross at least twice, to form an interlocking arrangement which is particularly strong and rigid. A
cord or the like may fasten the respective ends 30; against the hoop to prevent unravelling of the interlocking arrangement. Suitable hard wood is selected and the resulting hoop is particularly strong and rigid, and will suffer considerable use and abuse.
Preferably, the hoop has a diameter between 12 inches and 36 inches, which is particularly suitable for a number of sporting activities such as hockey and baseball.
Having thus fully described one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the full scope of the invention will now be set forth in a series of claims. It will be understood above detailed description of the invention is not intended to be imitative in any respect of the scope of the invention. The full scope of which is set forth in the accompanying claims.
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to sports and athletics of the type involving a projectile object such as a hurled baseball, hockey puck, soccer ball, golf ball, football or the like. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for practising of such sporting activities, wherein it is desirable to provide a basket or net which catches a projectile to facilitate retrieval by the user. In particular, the preferred field of the invention is for practise in throwing baseballs, softballs and projecting hockey pucks.
Background of the Invention Participants in sporting activities such as baseball, hockey, golf, tennis and other like sports which involves a skilled aim of a projectile such as a baseball, hockey puck, tennis ball, etc., typically devote considerable time to practise of their sport. Since the precision aiming of the projectile is a desired goal of practise, participants devote time to striking or hurling a projectile against a net, backstop or the like. For example, baseball enthusiasts may throw a ball against a suspended netting arrangement which serves as a backstop to retain the thrown ball. Similar arrangements are known for use with soccer balls, hockey pucks, golf balls, and others. By way of example, the following United States patents relate to various netting or basket like arrangements which serve this function, and which are suspended or supported by various means:
For example, United States Patent No. 5,803,841 to Daskoski relates to a square frame, which may be suspended from a crossbar, with a mesh liner. The article is used for receiving baseballs, for pitching practice.
United States Patent No. 5,484,144 to St. Onge discloses a circular hoop and mesh liner, for forming a transportable basketball net.
_2_ United States Patent No. 5,395,122 to Kraemer relates to a game target, which includes a hoop with a net interior. The hoop is supported by a spike, which may be driven into the ground. The article is intended to receive a golf ball driven by a player.
Preferably, several functional requirements are met by a sporting backstop of this general type. First, an appropriate size must be selected. A net which is overly large will not require sufficient skill and accuracy on the part of the user to place the projectile within the net, and will not thus serve the practise function required of the arrangement. However, despite its size, the net must be capable of being firmly and fixedly mounted and supported. This is particularly important for use in sports such as hockey and baseball, in which a ball or puck may travel at a considerable velocity and impact against the backstop with relatively great force. The backstop must be capable of absorbing the impact without tipping over or requiring readjustment by the user. A
further preferred characteristic is that such backstops be capable of double sided operation. That is a ball or puck may be projected at the device from either side, and the device will work equally well from either side. Finally, the apparatus must be particularly strong and durable, both in light of the impacts experienced by the device when serving as a backstop for hockey or baseball and as well by virtue of the general abuse often suffered by sporting equipment.
In light of the above objectives, it is desirable to provide a sporting backstop that may be fabricated relatively simply and inexpensively, and presents a target in the order of 12 inches to 36 inches in diameter. In order for the target to be suitably supported, it is preferably suspended from a frame, cross bar, clothes line, tree limb or the like support, which in turn is suitably supported for the intended activity.
Summary of the Invention In accordance with the objects recited above, the invention comprises in one aspect a sports target for practising baseball, hockey, golf, football and other sport activities which require throwing or otherwise propelling a projectile. The target comprises a hoop, having a netting web loosely slung across the hoop opening;
a pair of elastic suspension means fastened to the hoop, for suspending the hoop from a cross bar or the like;
the hoop being characterized by an elongated hoop member having two ends, the ends overlapping each other and interlocking against each other in the region of overlap to form a generally circular hoop.
Preferably, the hoop is formed from wood, which may be steam formed to form the above structure. The netting is provided with sufficient slack, to form a flexible basket like structure to retain a baseball, softball, puck, etc. projected against the target and into the hoop.
In another preferred aspect, the invention comprises a combination of the target described above, and a preferred frame formed from vertical members having supporting means for supporting the vertical members on a ground surface, the vertical members being spanned by a cross bar, with the elastic suspension members being tied or otherwise fastened to the cross bar.
Having thus generally characterized the invention, the invention will now be described by way of a detailed description of the preferred embodiment, by reference to the accompanying drawings.
Detailed description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus, including the target, suspension members and frame;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the target portion of the apparatus, showing the frame and netting portions;
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of a portion of the hoop, showing the region of overlap between the ends of the hoop member.
Detailed description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to the figures, the invention comprises in general terms a sports target 10, suspended from a frame 12. The target 10 is formed from a wooded hoop 14, which supports a loose netting 16, which spans the interior of the hoop. The netting 16 has sufficient slack to form a basket like structure with the hoop 14, which when the hoop is suspended in the vertical orientation shown in the figures, permits a portion of the netting to dangle slightly below the hoop. As will be seen, the netting has sufficient slack to retain a baseball, hockey puck or the like which is propelled at the target.
The target 10 is suspended from the frame 12, by means of a pair of spaced apart, elastic suspension means 20, which preferably are formed from elastic webbing which is tied at its upper end to the frame 12, and at the lower end to the hoop 14. The suspension means incorporate sufficient elasticity to permit the target to absorb a portion of the impact from a projectile, thereby preventing damage to the target.
Conveniently, the netting may be formed by any suitable netting such as nylon, twine and string or the like, having a modulus of about '/z inch, which is suitable for trapping most flying sports projectiles.
Turning to the frame 12, this is conveniently formed from a pair of spaced apart, vertical supports 24, spanned by a cross bar 26, from which is suspended the suspension means 20. The supports are in turn supported on the ground by weighted feet 28. Alternatively, the feet 28 may be formed from an elongate horizontal member which rests on the ground and supports the frame in a generally vertical position. The frame is sufficiently open to permit a ball or other projectile to be thrown at the target from either side of the target with equal convenience, although in the figures shown herein, the target is shown only from a first side, it will be understood that the arrangement is essentially identical when seen from the opposing side.
Turning specifically to the hoop portion of the target, this is preferably formed from a hard wood such as ash, oak or the like. The hoop may be formed from an elongate member, which is bent by conventional means into a hoop form. The respective ends 30 of the wooden member overlap each other to form a region of overlap 32. Within this region, the ends of the wooden member cross at least twice, to form an interlocking arrangement which is particularly strong and rigid. A
cord or the like may fasten the respective ends 30; against the hoop to prevent unravelling of the interlocking arrangement. Suitable hard wood is selected and the resulting hoop is particularly strong and rigid, and will suffer considerable use and abuse.
Preferably, the hoop has a diameter between 12 inches and 36 inches, which is particularly suitable for a number of sporting activities such as hockey and baseball.
Having thus fully described one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the full scope of the invention will now be set forth in a series of claims. It will be understood above detailed description of the invention is not intended to be imitative in any respect of the scope of the invention. The full scope of which is set forth in the accompanying claims.
Claims (8)
1. A sports target, comprising:
a hoop;
a net like web loosely suspended from said hoop and spanning the interior thereof;
a pair of elastic suspension means for suspending said hoop from a cross bar or the like;
said hoop being characterized by an elongate generally circular hoop member, the respective ends of which overlap to form a region of overlap within which said hoop member crosses against itself at least twice to form an interlocking hoop structure.
a hoop;
a net like web loosely suspended from said hoop and spanning the interior thereof;
a pair of elastic suspension means for suspending said hoop from a cross bar or the like;
said hoop being characterized by an elongate generally circular hoop member, the respective ends of which overlap to form a region of overlap within which said hoop member crosses against itself at least twice to form an interlocking hoop structure.
2. A target device as defined in claim 1, wherein said hoop is formed from wood.
3. A target device as defined in claim 1, wherein said hoop member crosses itself at least three times within said region of overlap.
4. A target device as defined in claim 1, wherein said net is sufficiently loosely suspended from said hoop to form a portion of said web which dangles below said hoop when said hoop is suspended vertically.
5. A sports target, comprising a frame formed from a pair of spaced apart vertical members, spanned by a generally horizontal cross bar;
a hoop suspended from said cross bar by means of a pair of elastic suspension members;
a net like web fastened to said hoop and spanning the interior thereof, said web being of a suitable size to form a basket like interior region for retaining therein a projectile thrown against said target;
said hoop being characterized by an elongate hoop member curved into a generally circular configuration, the respective ends of said hoop member overlapping to form a region of overlap, within which region said hoop member crosses itself at least two times, to form an interlocking structure.
a hoop suspended from said cross bar by means of a pair of elastic suspension members;
a net like web fastened to said hoop and spanning the interior thereof, said web being of a suitable size to form a basket like interior region for retaining therein a projectile thrown against said target;
said hoop being characterized by an elongate hoop member curved into a generally circular configuration, the respective ends of said hoop member overlapping to form a region of overlap, within which region said hoop member crosses itself at least two times, to form an interlocking structure.
6. A target device as defined in claim 5, wherein said hoop is formed from wood.
7. A target device as defined in claim 5, wherein said hoop member crosses itself at least three times within said region of overlap.
8. A target device as defined in claim 5, wherein said net is sufficiently loosely suspended from said hoop to form a portion of said web which dangles below said hoop when said hoop is suspended vertically.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2277287 CA2277287A1 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 1999-07-07 | Sports practise net for arresting flying projectile objects |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2277287 CA2277287A1 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 1999-07-07 | Sports practise net for arresting flying projectile objects |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2277287A1 true CA2277287A1 (en) | 2001-01-07 |
Family
ID=4163718
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2277287 Abandoned CA2277287A1 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 1999-07-07 | Sports practise net for arresting flying projectile objects |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2277287A1 (en) |
-
1999
- 1999-07-07 CA CA 2277287 patent/CA2277287A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |