WO2015110795A1

WO2015110795A1 - Rebound net

Info

Publication number: WO2015110795A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/050079
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Parsons
Original assignee: Quick Play Sport Ltd
Priority date: 2014-01-23
Filing date: 2015-01-15
Publication date: 2015-07-30
Also published as: GB201401104D0

Abstract

A rebound apparatus. The rebound apparatus comprising a base member and a rebound panel; said base member being arrangeable to support the rebound panel in a substantially upright position in use; said rebound panel comprising at least two adjacent rebound surfaces, wherein the intersection between said at least two rebound surfaces extends substantially horizontally in use and forms an obtuse angle therebetween such that the at least two rebound surfaces are disposed nonlinearly relative to each other.

Description

Rebound Net

The present invention relates to a rebound apparatus, in particular to a rebound apparatus to practice a ball sport such as football.

Various types of rebound apparatus used to practice ball sports, such as football, baseball and tennis, are known in the art. Most of these devices include a target having a rebound surface that directs a ball back to the individual after it has struck the target. Typically, such rebound apparatuses comprise a frame supporting a net to form the rebound surface. Various configurations of the frames are known. Typically, however, the frames are supported by a base and disposed in a substantially vertical position or on an incline with respect to the horizontal.

It is an aim of aspects of the present invention to address the above mentioned or other problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a rebound apparatus, the rebound apparatus comprising a base member and a rebound panel; said base member being arrangeable to support the rebound panel in a substantially upright position in use; said rebound panel comprising at least two adjacent rebound surfaces, wherein the intersection between said at least two rebound surfaces extends substantially horizontally in use and forms an obtuse angle therebetween such that the at least two rebound surfaces are disposed nonlinearly relative to each other. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a rebound panel for use in a rebound apparatus, wherein the rebound panel comprises at least two adjacent rebound surfaces, wherein the intersection between said at least two rebound surfaces extends substantially horizontally in use and forms an obtuse angle therebetween such that the at least two rebound surfaces are disposed nonlinearly relative to each other.

The base member may have any suitable shape. In certain embodiments, the base member may have, for example, a substantially square, rectangular, circular, semi-circular, or polygonal shape or may be substantially U-shaped. Suitably, the base member may be substantially U- shaped.

The base member may be fabricated from any suitable material. In certain embodiments, the base member may be fabricated from, for example, a rigid material such as a metal or a hard plastic. In certain specific embodiments, the base member may be fabricated at least partially from steel. The base member may have any selected cross-sectional shape. In certain embodiments, the base member may have, for example, a substantially circular, rectangular or square cross- sectional shape. In certain embodiments, the base member may have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.

The base member may be formed from any suitable number of component parts or members. The base member may be formed from a single member or multiple component members. In certain embodiments, the base member may be formed from 1 to 16 component members, such as from 1 to 8 component members, or even from 1 to 4 component members. Suitably, the base member may be fabricated from 4 component members.

In certain embodiments, the multiple component members of the base member, when present, may be secured by any suitable means such as by pins, nails, screws or rivets.

In certain embodiments, the rebound panel may comprise at least two adjacent rebound surfaces. For example, the rebound panel may comprise two, three, four, five or six adjacent rebound surfaces. Suitably, the rebound panel may comprise two adjacent rebound surfaces. In certain embodiments, the intersection between said at least two rebound surface may extend substantially horizontally in use.

In certain embodiments, the intersection between said at least two rebound surfaces forms an obtuse angle, Θ, therebetween such that the at least two rebound surfaces are disposed nonlinearly relative to each other. The obtuse angle, Θ, may be any suitable angle. In certain embodiments, the obtuse angle, Θ, may be higher than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees (90 < Θ < 180). Suitably, the obtuse angle, Θ may be from about 91 to 179 degrees, more suitably from about 1 10 to 160 degrees, such as from about 120 to 150 degrees, or even from about 130 to 140 degrees. Suitably, the obtuse angle, Θ, may be about 135 degrees.

The at least two rebound surfaces may have any suitable shape. In certain embodiments, the at least two rebound surfaces may have, for example, a substantially square or rectangular shape. The at least two rebound surfaces may have the same shape or may have different shapes. In certain embodiments, a first rebound surface may have a substantially rectangular shape. In certain embodiments, a second rebound surface may have a substantially square shape.

In certain embodiments, the rebound panel comprises a frame and, suitably, a net. The frame may be fabricated from any suitable material. In certain embodiments, the frame may be fabricated from, for example, a rigid material such as a metal or a hard plastic. In certain specific embodiments, the frame may be fabricated at least partially from steel. The frame may have any selected cross-sectional shape. In certain embodiments, the frame may have, for example, a substantially circular, rectangular or square cross-sectional shape. In certain embodiments, the frame may have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape.

The frame may be formed from any suitable number of component parts or members. The frame may be formed from a single member or multiple component members. In certain embodiments, the frame may be formed from 1 to 18 component members, such as from 1 to 12 component members, or even from 2 to 7 component members. Suitably, the frame may be formed from 7 component members. In certain embodiments, the multiple component members of the frame, when present, may be secured by any suitable means such as by pins, nails, screws or rivets.

In certain embodiments, the frame may comprise a cross-member. The cross member suitably extends along the intersection between the at least two rebound surfaces of the rebound panel. Suitably, the cross-member is arranged to extend substantially horizontally in use.

The net may be fabricated from any suitable material. In certain embodiments, the net may be fabricated from, for example, a non-elastic material such as wire, cotton or nylon.

The net may be attached to the frame by any suitable means. In certain embodiments, the net may be fixedly or releasably attached to the frame. Suitably, the net may be releasably attached to the frame. The net may be releasably attached to the frame by any suitable means. In certain embodiments, the net may be attached to the frame using, for example, stretchable or deformable connectors. Suitably, the stretchable or deformable connectors may be, for example, in the form of a loop. Suitably, the net may be attached to the frame using elastic loops. Suitably, the frame may comprise attachment lugs which are operable in use to interact with the stretchable or deformable connectors to thereby releasably attach the net to the frame.

The attachment lugs may be attached to the frame at any suitable position. In certain embodiments, the attachment lugs may be attached to the frame at discrete attachment locations. Suitably, the frame comprises at least 10 attachment lugs, such as at least 20, or at least 30 attachment lugs, preferably at least 40, or 50 attachment lugs, more preferably at least 60. The frame may comprise at least 70 or 80 attachment lugs. In certain embodiments, the frame may comprise attachment lugs arranged on the front face of the frame and/or on the back face of the frame and/or the attachment lugs may arranged on the outside face or inside face of the frame. "Front face of the frame", and like terms as used herein, refers to the surface of the frame that faces the user when in use. Suitably, the frame may comprise attachment lugs arranged on the front face of the frame. A rebound apparatus formed according to the present invention has the advantage that the use of stretchable or deformable connectors to attach the net to the rebound panel frame provides that the net remains in tension when in use.

A rebound apparatus formed according to the present invention has the advantage that the use of attachments lugs wherein said attachment lugs are arranged on the front face of the frame provide that the net sits substantially in front of the frame in use such that a ball, for example a football, strikes the net rather than the frame at the perimeter edge of the rebound panel. A rebound apparatus formed according to the present invention has the advantage that the cross-member of the frame provides that the obtuse angle between the at least two rebound surfaces is kept when the net is attached.

In certain embodiments, the base member may be arrangeable to support the rebound panel in a substantially upright position in use.

The base member may be attached to the rebound panel by any suitable means. In certain embodiments, the base member may be, for example, fixedly or pivotably attached to the rebound panel. Suitably, the base member may be pivotably attached to the rebound panel.

A rebound apparatus formed according to the present invention has the advantage that the pivotal attachment of the base member to the rebound panel allows the angle therebetween to be adjusted. Thus, the angle of rebound of a ball (or other projectile) can be adjusted according to the desired use.

In certain embodiments, the rebound apparatus may optionally comprise a support member. The support member may be of fixed length or may be adjustable. Suitably, the support member may be an adjustable support member. In certain embodiments, the adjustable support member, when present, may be formed from a telescopic pole having a lower member and an upper member. In certain embodiments, the adjustable support member may have a cam connecting and locking mechanism. The support member may be fabricated from any suitable material. In certain embodiments, the support member may be fabricated from, for example, a rigid material such as a metal or a hard plastic. In certain specific embodiments, the support member may be fabricated at least partially from steel. The support member may have any selected cross-sectional shape. In certain embodiments, the support member may have, for example, a substantially circular, rectangular or square cross-sectional shape. In certain embodiments, the support member may have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. A rebound apparatus formed according to the present invention has the advantage that the adjustable support member provides that the angle between the base member and the rebound panel can be selectively adjusted and supported according to the desired use.

In certain embodiments, the rebound apparatus may be provided to the user as a self- assembly kit. Therefore, according to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a rebounder kit comprising a base member and a rebound panel, the rebound panel comprising a frame and a net; said base member being arrangeable to support the rebound panel in a substantially upright position in use; said rebound panel comprising at least two adjacent rebound surfaces, wherein the intersection between said at least two rebound surfaces extends substantially horizontally in use and forms an obtuse angle therebetween such that the at least two rebound surfaces are disposed nonlinearly relative to each other.

In certain embodiments, the rebound apparatus may be optionally secured to the ground. The rebound apparatus may be optionally secured to the ground by any suitable means. In certain embodiments, the rebound apparatus may be secured to the ground by, for example, a number of stakes, pins or pegs. Suitably, the rebound apparatus may be secured to the ground by substantially U-shaped pegs.

All of the features contained herein may be combined with any of the above aspects and in any combination.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a rebound apparatus, assembled for use.

Figure 2 shows the rebound panel and base member.

Figure 3 shows the net and frame of the rebound panel.

Figure 1 shows a rebound apparatus 101 . According to the illustrated embodiment, the rebound apparatus 101 is configured as a rebound apparatus 101 for use as a football training aid. The rebound apparatus 101 comprises a base member 102 and a rebound panel 103. When the rebound apparatus 101 is rested on a support surface (such as on the ground), as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the base member 102 is configured to support the rebound panel 103 in a substantially upright position. Thus, when the rebound apparatus 101 is rested on substantially horizontal ground, the base member 102 is substantially parallel to the lie of the ground and the rebound panel 103 extends upwards from the base member 102.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the rebound panel 103 comprises two (2) rebound surfaces; a first rebound surface 104 and a second rebound surface 105. The first rebound surface 104 is arranged in use to direct a ball substantially downwards when struck. The second rebound surface 105 is arranged in use to direct a ball substantially upwards when struck.

The first rebound surface is substantially rectangular in shape and has dimensions of 2m x 0.51 m. The long edges of the rectangular first rebound surface lie substantially parallel to the lie of the ground when in use. The second rebound surface is substantially square in shape and has dimensions of 2m x 2m.

The second rebound surface 105 is arranged on top of the first rebound surface 104 forming an intersection 106 therebetween which extends substantially horizontally. The intersection 106 between the first rebound surface 104 and the second rebound surface 105 forms an angle, Θ, therebetween. As shown, the angle, Θ, is 135 degrees.

The rebound panel 103 comprises a frame 107 and a net 108. The frame 107 comprises six (6) component members. In the illustrated example, the frame 107 comprises four (4) corner members; a first corner member 109 second corner member 1 10, third corner member 1 1 1 and fourth corner member 1 12, two (2) nonlinear side members; a first nonlinear side member 1 13 and a second nonlinear side member 1 14, and horizontal cross member 1 15 Each corner member is substantially L-shaped. Each non-linear side member has a knee portion 1 16. Each knee portion 1 16 is at an angle, Θ, of 135 degrees. An end of each corner member is attached to a respective end of one nonlinear side member and a respective end of another corner member. The cross member 1 15 extends substantially horizontally between the first 1 13 and second 1 14 non-linear side members along the intersection between the first rebound surface 104 and the second rebound surface 105.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the base member 102 comprises a U-shaped frame having two opposed ends. Each of the opposed ends of the U-shaped frame forming the base member 102 is pivotably attached to the rebound panel 103 via pivot points 1 17.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base member 102 comprises four (4) component members; a first side member 1 18, a second side member 1 19, a first corner member 120 and a second corner member 121 . The corner members 120, 121 are substantially L-shaped. The first side member 1 18 extends substantially parallel to the second side member 1 19. The first side member 1 18 and second side member 119 are spaced laterally apart. The first corner member 120 is attached to an end of the first side member 1 18 and is attached to an end of the second corner member 121 . The second corner member 121 is attached to an end of the second side member 1 19 and is attached to the first corner member 120.

In the illustrated example, the rebound apparatus 101 comprises an adjustable support member 122.

The adjustable support member 122 is pivotably attached to the base member 102. The adjustable support member 122 is pivotably attached to the base member 102 via a third pivot point 123. The third pivot point 123 is positioned intermediate along the long side of the base member 102.

The adjustable support member 122 is pivotally attached to the rebound panel 103 via a fourth pivot point 129. The fourth pivot point 129 is positioned intermediate along the top horizontal edge 1 1 1 of the second rebound surface 105.

Figure 2 The pivot points of the rebound apparatus are shown in greater detail in Figure 2. The pivot point 1 17 between the base member and the rebound panel is shown. However, the method of attachment is substantially the same at each pivot point. The base member 103 is pivotally attached to the rebound panel via a third and fourth pivot point 201 (only the third pivot point 201 is shown). As shown in Figure 2, the third pivot point 201 comprises a receiving portion 202 fixedly attached to the rebound panel 103 into which an opposed end of the base member 203 is engaged. The opposed end of the base member 203 comprises two holes 204, 205 on substantially opposite sides. Two rivets 205, 206 connect said receiving portion 202 and said opposed end of the base member 203.

Figure 3 The method of attachment of the net 1 16 to the frame 1 15 is shown in greater detail in Figure 3.

As shown in Figure 3, the net 1 16 is releasably attached to the frame 1 15. The edge of the net 1 15 is attached to the frame 1 15 at discrete attachment locations via attachment 96 lugs 301 . The attachment lugs 301 are fixedly attached to the frame 1 15 at said discrete attachment locations. The attachment lugs 301 comprise a neck portion 302 and a head portion 303, wherein the neck portion 302 is smaller in diameter than the head portion 303. The neck portion 302 is fixedly attached to the frame 1 15 and acts as a spacer between the frame 1 15 and the head portion 303 of the attachment lugs 301 .

In the illustrated embodiment, the net 1 15 is attached to the frame 1 15 at each discrete attachment location via an elastic loop 304. As shown, a first end 305 of each elastic loop 304 is secured around the neck portion 302 of an attachment means 301 the elastic loop 304 extends through the edge of the net 1 15 and back upon itself. The other end of the elastic loop 304 is then secured around the neck portion 302 of the attachment lugs 301 . The head portion 302 of the attachment lugs 301 prevents the elastic loop 304 from becoming detached.

Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

A rebound apparatus, the rebound apparatus comprising a base member and a rebound panel; said base member being arrangeable to support the rebound panel in a substantially upright position in use; said rebound panel comprising at least two adjacent rebound surfaces, wherein the intersection between said at least two rebound surfaces extends substantially horizontally in use and forms an obtuse angle therebetween such that the at least two rebound surfaces are disposed nonlinearly relative to each other.

A rebound panel for use in a rebound apparatus, wherein the rebound panel comprises at least two adjacent rebound surfaces, wherein the intersection between said at least two rebound surfaces extends substantially horizontally in use and forms an obtuse angle therebetween such that the at least two rebound surfaces are disposed nonlinearly relative to each other.

A rebound panel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the obtuse angle may be from about 91 to 179 degrees, more suitably from about 1 10 to 160 degrees, such as from about 120 to 150 degrees, or even from about 130 to 140 degrees.

A rebound panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the rebound panel comprises a frame and, suitably, a net.

A rebound panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises a cross-member, preferably the cross member extends along the intersection between the at least two rebound surfaces of the rebound panel.

A rebound panel according to claim 4, wherein the panel comprises a net and the net is releasably attachable to the frame.

A rebound panel according to claim 6, wherein the net is attachable to the frame using stretchable or deformable connectors, suitably, the stretchable or deformable connectors are in the form of a loop, suitably, the net is attached to the frame using elastic loops, suitably, the frame comprises attachment lugs which are operable in use to interact with the stretchable or deformable connectors to thereby releasably attach the net to the frame.

A rebound panel according to claim 7, wherein the frame comprises attachment lugs and the attachment lugs are attached to the frame at discrete attachment locations, suitably, the frame comprises at least 10 attachment lugs, such as at least 20, or at least 30 attachment lugs, preferably at least 40, or 50 attachment lugs, more preferably at least 60, preferably the frame comprises at least 70 or 80 attachment lugs.

A rebound panel according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the frame comprises attachment lugs arranged on the front face of the frame.

A rebound apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member is pivotably attached to the rebound panel.

A rebound apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further comprises a support member, preferably, the support member is an adjustable support member.

A rebound apparatus according to claim 1 1 , wherein the support member is an adjustable support member and the adjustable support member is formed from a telescopic pole having a lower member and an upper member.

A rebounder kit comprising a base member and a rebound panel, the rebound panel comprising a frame and a net; said base member being arrangeable to support the rebound panel in a substantially upright position in use; said rebound panel being according to any of claims 2 to 9.