Sports practice net

• US 6,352,480 B1
• Filed: 07/09/1999
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jugs Incorporated (Jugs)
• Original Assignee: Jugs Company The (Jugs)
• Inventors: Macaluso, Anthony G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US09/350,564
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 473/415, 473/197, 473/153, 473/471, 473/478, 473/194, 473/168, 273/410
• US Class Current: 473/197
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

A sports practice net assembly for stopping the flight of a projectile such as a golf ball, comprises a pair of side frame members with a central frame member disposed between them. The side frame members are preferably formed as closed loops. The central frame member has a pair of legs that extend across portions of the side frame members so that the lower ends of the legs and the lowermost portions of the side frame members support the sports practice net assembly on a generally horizontal surface. The first and second frame members are preferably are symmetrically arranged such that they are connected together at a rear portion of the sports practice net assembly and spaced apart at a front portion of the sports practice net assembly with an acute angle between their planes. The central frame member has first and second legs and an upper portion arranged to extend above the uppermost edges of the side frame members. The central frame member is arranged between the first and second side frame members with a first leg of the central frame member being connected to the first side frame member near a first front portion of the sports practice net assembly and a second leg of the central frame member being connected to the second side frame member near a second front portion of the sports practice net assembly. Netting is arranged on the frame members to stop the flight of a projectile.

Claims

1. A sports practice net assembly for stopping the flight of a projectile such as a golf ball comprising:

a) a first side frame member arranged to form a closed loop,

b) a first side net section supported by and extending across the first side frame member,

c) a second side frame member arranged to form a closed loop,

d) a second side net section supported by and extending across the second side frame member,

e) the first and second side frame members being positioned-closely adjacent each other for pivoting at the rear ends thereof and spaced apart at the front ends thereof,

f) a central frame member having spaced apart first and second legs having bottom ends disposed for supporting engagement with an underlying support and a central upper connection portion, the central frame member extending between and secured removably to the first and second side frame members adjacent the spaced apart front ends thereof, and

g) central net section connected to and extending across the upper connection portion of the central frame member and the upper portions of the first and second side frame members, to form a top closure for the net assembly.

2. The net assembly of claim 1 including a target connected to the first and second side frame members and extending between them intermediate the front and rear ends thereof.

3. The net assembly of claim 2 including a fabric section connected between the first and second side frame members and having an upper portion connected to a lower edge of the central net section, the fabric section being arranged to allow a ball that has been stopped by the target to roll toward the front of the net assembly.

4. The net assembly of claim 1 wherein the rear ends of the first and second side frame members form a rear apex and an included acute angle between them.

5. The net assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second side frame members are resilient, and first and second adjustable strap members extend adjustably across said first and second side frame members for adjusting the configurations thereof.

6. The net assembly of claim 1 wherein the central frame member is resilient and an adjustable strap member extends between the spaced apart legs adjacent the bottom ends thereof for adjusting the spacing between said legs and the corresponding spacing between the front portions of the spaced apart side frame members.

7. The net assembly of claim 1 wherein the bottom ends of the first and second spaced apart legs of the central frame member and the spaced apart bottom portions of the first and second side frame members are arranged to support the net assembly in upright position upon a substantially horizontal surface.

8. The net assembly of claim 1 including:

a) a first sleeve arranged to enclose the first side frame member, the first side net section being connected to the first sleeve,

b) a second sleeve arranged to enclose the second side frame member,the second side net section being connected to the second sleeve,

c) a third sleeve connected to the first sleeve and arranged to receive the lower end of the first leg of the central frame member,

d) a fourth sleeve connected to the second sleeve and arranged to receive the lower end If the second leg of the central frame member,

e) a first loop connected to the first net section,

f) a second loop connected to the second net section, and

g) the central frame member being arranged to pass through the first and second loops to secure the upper central connecting portion of the central frame member to the first and second sleeves, the third and fourth sleeves and the first and second loops being arranged to retain the central frame member in a predetermined position relative to the first and second side frame members.