Quick-attach sports net

• US 6,113,507 A
• Filed: 02/22/1999
• Issued: 09/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Park & Sun, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ronald G. Padilla
• Inventors: Padilla, Ronald G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US09/253,737
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 273/398-402, 273/390, 273/396, 296/37.16, 296/37.6, 473/197, 473/478, 473/454, 410/96, 410/97
• US Class Current: 473/478
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like

Abstract

A sports net adapted to be quickly attached to and detached from a sports goal frame such as a portable frame for soccer goal or a street hockey goal, the frame having tubular members and including a first U-shaped upright portion for forming a goal mouth with a crossbar and side posts, and a second U-shaped portion connected to the upright frame portion and adapted to lie on a horizontal surface, and oblique portions interconnecting the upright and horizontal frame portions. An elastic cord element is incorporated in the outer perimeter of the generally rectangular net and the cord constricts the perimeter and forms an expandable opening. The net can be draped over the goal frame and properly aligned with the frame with the aid of colored indicia attached to the net, and the perimeter tucked around the frame such that it resiliently embraces the insides of the frame members of the first and second portions so that the net is releasably secured to the frame.

Claims

1. A method for removably attaching a sports net to a sports goal frame, the frame having a construction of rigid frame members and adapted to be self-supporting on a generally horizontal surface, and having a front, top, rear, opposing sides and a bottom, said method including the steps of:

a. providing a net having an expanse large enough to cover the top, rear, and opposing sides of said frame, and having a perimeter portion that extends by a predetermined distance beyond the expanse of said net;

b. providing in said net perimeter a band of elastic material extending along said perimeter portion whereby said net has an elastically constricted opening; and

c. draping said net over said frame top, rear and opposing sides and elastically expanding said perimeter portion so that it is positioned over and around said frame members on said frame bottom, front and rear whereby said net is held in place by resiliently embracing said frame.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 including the step of providing on said net perimeter portion means for visually indicating the desired alignment of said net relative to said frame.

3. A sports net for quick attachment and detachment from a sports goal frame, and adapted to be used with said frame, the frame having a construction of rigid frame members and adapted to be self-supporting on a generally horizontal surface, and having a front, top, rear, opposing sides and a bottom, said net including:

a. a mesh of loops of substantially inelastic strands, and having an expanse large enough to cover the top, rear, and opposing sides of said frame, and having a peripherally extending perimeter portion that extends by a predetermined distance beyond the expanse of said net and channel means in said perimeter portion;

b. an elastic cord, joined end-to-end in a loop, and slidably mounted in said perimeter portion channel means whereby said net has an elastically constrictable opening; and

c. whereby said net can be draped over and positioned with respect to said frame, and said constrictable opening receiving said frame top, rear and opposing sides, and said perimeter elastically expandable so that said perimeter is positioned over and around said frame members on said frame bottom, front and rear whereby said net is held in place by resiliently embracing said frame.

4. A net as defined in claim 3 including means on a portion of said net perimeter for visually indicating alignment of said net relative to said frame when said net is mounted to said frame.

5. A sports net as defined in claim 3 wherein said channel means comprises said loops in said net perimeter portion, and said cord is interwoven through said perimeter loops.

6. A sports net as defined in claim 3 wherein said channel means comprises a sleeve.

7. A sports net and goal frame combination, said net adapted for quick attachment and detachment from said sports goal frame, the frame having a construction of rigid frame members, and adapted to be self-supporting on a generally horizontal surface, and having a front, top, rear, opposing sides and a bottom, said net and goal frame combination including:

a. substantially inelastic netting having an expanse large enough to cover the top, rear, and opposing sides of said frame, and having a perimeter portion that extends by a predetermined distance beyond the expanse of said net, and peripherally extending channel means in said perimeter portion;

b. an elastic cord joined end-to-end in a loop, and mounted slidably in said perimeter portion channel means whereby said net has an elastically constrictable opening; and

c. whereby said net can be draped over, and positioned with respect to said frame, and held in place by said perimeter portion resiliently embracing said frame.