Portable backstop

• US 5,242,160 A
• Filed: 03/06/1992
• Issued: 09/07/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Indoor Activities Unlimited Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Indoor Activities Unlimited Incorporated
• Inventors: Girard, Thomas I., Glydon, Jon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Theatrice
• Application Number:
  US07/846,741
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 273/26 A, 273/55 R, 273/55 B, 273/181 A, 273/407
• US Class Current: 473/454
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/08 with substantially horizontal opening for ball, e.g. for basketball A63B57/40, A63B63/06 take precedence

Abstract

A portable backstop has a vertically upstanding inverted first U-shaped frame including legs supported on a base and a second, smaller, U-shaped frame pivoted from an intermediate point of the legs of the inverted U-shaped frame. The frames support a bag-shaped mesh net for receiving a ball. When the backstop is unfolded for use, the second U-shaped frame extends outward and the net, attached around the upper perimeter of the frames, forms a pocket for receiving a ball. The second U-shaped frame folds upward against the first frame for transportation and storage. The backstop may be used indoors or outdoors.

Claims

1. A portable backstop comprising a first vertically extending U-shaped frame member and a second U-shapes frame member, each leg of said second U-shaped frame member having its free end pivotally attached adjacent the free end of a respective leg of said first U-shaped frame member:

said first U-shaped member being inverted such that the ends thereof are inserted into a base to support said backstop vertically;

said second U-shaped frame member being pivotable between an upper folded position substantially parallel to said first U-shaped member and a lower open position at an acute angle to the horizontal;

netting means comprising a single continuous net having a first portion thereof attached to and extending between the legs of said first U-shaped frame member and a second portion thereof attached to and extending between the legs of said second U-shaped frame member to define a projectile stop, said netting means second portion being bag-shaped to retain a ball falling therein which has been stopped by said first portion.

2. A portable backstop according to claim 1 wherein said pivot members are secured to said second U-shaped frame member by welding.

3. A portable backstop according to claim 1 wherein said pivot means is J-shaped and inserted through each leg of said first U-shaped member and through to end of each leg of said second U-shaped member.

4. A portable backstop according to claim 3 wherein the end of each leg of said second U-shaped member is cut diagonally.

5. A frame for a portable backstop comprising a first U-shaped frame member and a second U-shaped frame member pivoted at ends of legs thereof at an intermediate position of respective legs of the said first U-shaped frame member, wherein said first U-shaped member is inverted and ends of said legs thereof are inserted in a base for supporting said backstop and wherein said second U-shaped member is secured to said first U-shaped member by two J-shaped pivot members each pivot member being inserted through a respective leg of said first U-shaped member and through the end of a respective leg of said second U-shaped member.