Target with energy-absorbing foam mat
First Claim
1. A practice device for a sporting activity wherein a sport projectile is hurled or struck toward a specified target zone, said device comprising:
- (a) an energy absorbing polymeric foam mat element, said mat element being indentable by and fully but slowly recoverable from the impact of a sport projectile thereagainst;
(b) a continuous and compliant polymeric sheet element having a smooth exterior surface disposed over and bonded continuously to at least one face of said mat element of (a);
(c) indicia defining a target zone on the exterior surface of said sheet element of (b), said indicia being removably secured to the exterior surface of said sheet element of (b), whereby the size and geometry of the target zone defined thereby may be altered.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A practice device for use in the practice of those sports involving the hurling or striking of a ball or other sport projectile toward a specified target. The device of the invention serves to safely arrest the flight of the projectile while informing the user of the exact point of impact of the projectile relative to a defined target zone. The target is a polymeric foam mat having a polymeric sheet bonded to its front face. The sheet removably carries target indicia. Apertures through the foam mat make up 40 to 50 percent of the total surface area of the mat. When a projectile strikes the sheet, an indentation, which lasts from 5 to 60 seconds, indicates the point of impact.
33 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A practice device for a sporting activity wherein a sport projectile is hurled or struck toward a specified target zone, said device comprising:
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(a) an energy absorbing polymeric foam mat element, said mat element being indentable by and fully but slowly recoverable from the impact of a sport projectile thereagainst; (b) a continuous and compliant polymeric sheet element having a smooth exterior surface disposed over and bonded continuously to at least one face of said mat element of (a); (c) indicia defining a target zone on the exterior surface of said sheet element of (b), said indicia being removably secured to the exterior surface of said sheet element of (b), whereby the size and geometry of the target zone defined thereby may be altered. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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2. A practice device for a sporting activity wherein a sport projectile is hurled or struck toward a specified target zone, said device comprising:
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(a) an energy absorbing polymeric foam mat element, said mat element being indentable by and fully but slowly recoverable from the impact of a sport projectile thereagainst, said mat element being comprised of an array of apertures through the thickness thereof, said apertures each being of a diameter of at least about 1/4 inch (0.635 cm), said apertures being spaced apart so as to define a continuous web of polymeric foam, the total surface area of said apertures being, in the aggregate, between about 40 and about 50 percent of the overall surface area of said mat element; (b) a continuous and compliant polymeric sheet element having a smooth exterior surface disposed over and bonded continuously to at least one face of said mat element of (a); (c) indicia defining a target zone on the exterior surface of said sheet element of (b). - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification