Barrier Support Structure

• US 20120302381A1
• Filed: 05/25/2011
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William Coleman Lay
• Original Assignee: William Coleman Lay
• Inventors: Lay, William Coleman
• Granted Patent: US 9,011,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/451
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/24 Ice hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/54 Foldable elastic frame members automatically resuming their expanded state when released
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

The present invention provides for the first time a barrier support structure comprising at least one removable closed-loop resilient coilable frame having a perimeter. The removable closed-loop coilable frame comprises at least one connection member. A support base comprises at least one attachment member. The attachment member removably attaches to the connection member of the removable coilable frame. The attachment member maintains a predetermined angle between the removable coilable frame and the support base.

Claims

1. A barrier support structure comprising:

a) at least one removable closed-loop resilient coilable frame having a perimeter, the removable closed-loop coilable frame comprises at least one connection member; and

b) a support base comprising at least one attachment member, the attachment member is removably attached to the connection member of the removable coilable frame, the attachment member maintains a predetermined angle between the removable coilable frame and the support base.

2. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein the removable coilable frame is substantially square in shape.

3. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein the removable coilable frame forms overlapping coils when folded.

4. The barrier support structure in claim 1, further comprising a barrier portion attached to at least an area of the perimeter of the removable coilable frame for impeding the flight of projectiles.

5. The barrier support structure in claim 4, wherein the connection member comprises a pocket attached to at least an area of the barrier portion for accepting the attachment member of the support base.

6. The barrier support structure in claim 4, further comprising a target for defining a predetermined area.

7. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein the removable coilable frame is surrounded by a substantially tubular fabric sleeve, the tubular fabric sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the perimeter of the removable coilable frame so as to allow the removable coilable frame to axially rotate within the sleeve.

8. The barrier support structure in claim 7, further comprising at least one corner support for constraining at least one corner of the removable coilable frame.

9. The barrier support structure in claim 7, further comprising a barrier portion attached to the sleeve so as to span at least a portion of the interior of the perimeter of the removable coilable frame to impede the flight of projectiles.

10. The barrier support structure in claim 7, wherein the connection member comprises a pocket attached to at least a portion of the tubular fabric sleeve for communicating with the attachment member of the support base.

11. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein the removable coilable frame is continuous.

12. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein the support base is free standing.

13. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein the support base is adjustable for adjusting the angle between the removable coilable frame and the support base.

14. The barrier support structure in claim 13, wherein the attachment member of the support base is adjustable for adjusting the angle between the removable coilable frame and the support base.

15. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein the attachment member is removable from the support base.

16. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein a portion of the attachment member of the support base is flexible.

17. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the support base is foldable.

18. The barrier support structure in claim 4, wherein the barrier portion further comprises a catch for directing projectiles to a predetermined area.

19. The barrier support structure in claim 18, wherein the catch has an opening for disposing projectiles through the opening.

20. The barrier support structure in claim 19, further comprising at least one projectile collector for collecting projectiles.

21. The barrier support structure in claim 20, wherein the projectile collector is a bucket.

22. The barrier support structure in claim 20, wherein the projectile collector compacts for storage.

23. The barrier support structure in claim 20, further comprises at least one stand for disposing the projectile collector above surfaces.

24. The barrier support structure in claim 20, wherein the projectile collector is a ball return for returning projectiles.

25. The barrier support structure in claim 24, wherein the ball return is adjustable for returning projectiles at variable heights.

28. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein the removable coilable frame is substantially L-shaped.

29. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein the support base is substantially H-shaped.

30. The barrier support structure in claim 1, further comprising a barrier portion draped over the removable coilable frame.

31. The barrier support structure in claim 1, further comprising a barrier portion cavity draped over the at least one removable coilable frame.

26. A barrier support structure comprising:

a) a barrier portion smaller in area than a spatial plane defined by the removable coilable frame; and

b) at least one resilient strap connecting the barrier portion to the removable coilable frame.

27. The barrier support structure in claim 26, wherein the at least one resilient strap is elastic.

32. A barrier support structure comprising:

a) a support base comprising at least one attachment member;

b) at least one removable closed-loop resilient coilable frame having a perimeter, the removable closed-loop coilable frame comprises at least one connection member, the connection member is removably attached to the attachment member of the support base; and

c) a barrier portion associated with at least an area of the perimeter of the removable coilable frame for impeding the flight of projectiles

33. The method of assembling a barrier support structure comprising the steps of:

a) providing a support base comprising at least one attachment member;

b) providing at least one removable closed-loop resilient coilable frame having a perimeter, the removable closed-loop coilable frame comprises at least one connection member;

c) removably attaching the connection member of the removable coilable frame with the attachment member of the support base; and

d) associating a barrier portion with at least an area of the perimeter of the removable coilable frame for impeding the flight of projectiles.