Backstop and sports ball return assembly

• US 6,379,272 B1
• Filed: 04/12/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony Gorgo, Emma Gorgo
• Original Assignee: Anthony Gorgo, Emma Gorgo
• Inventors: Gorgo, Emma, Gorgo, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US09/548,252
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 273/410, 273/400, 273/375, 273/348, 273/394, 273/127.C, 473/197, 473/416, 473/421, 473/422, 473/431, 473/432, 473/435, 473/436, 473/451, 473/454, 473/476, 473/477, 473/FOR.103, 473/FOR.104, 135/88, 135/132, D21/305
• US Class Current: 473/421
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

A backstop and sports ball return assembly for facilitating building a users skill and accuracy by providing the return of a selectable sports ball to the user includes a base assembly. The base assembly includes a collection well and a chute extending from the collection well. The collection well includes an inclined bottom surface and at least one angled wall such that the collection well directs a sports ball towards the chute when the sports ball enters the collection well. A pair of side wall members are coupled to the base. The side wall members extend upwardly from opposite sides of the base assembly. A rear assembly is coupled to the base assembly, the rear assembly extending between the side wall members. A top assembly is coupled to the side wall members and the rear assembly, the top assembly extending generally between the side wall members.

Claims

1. A backstop and sports ball return assembly, comprising:

a base assembly, said base assembly having a collection well portion and a chute extending from the collection well, said collection well having an inclined bottom surface and at least one angled wall whereby said collection well is adapted for directing a sports ball towards said chute when the sports ball enters the collection well;

a pair of side wall members coupled to said base, said side wall members extending upwardly from opposite sides of said base assembly;

a rear assembly coupled to said base assembly, said rear assembly extending between said side wall members;

a top assembly coupled to said side wall members and said rear assembly, said top assembly extending generally between said side wall members;

said top assembly including a top frame and top netting coupled to said top frame; and

said top frame having a rearward side pivotally coupled to said side wall members proximate said rear assembly, said top frame having a pair of extension members, each of said extension members extending downwardly from a respective side of said top frame for slidably engaging an associated one of said side wall members whereby said top frame is selectively positionable at an angle relative to an upper edge of said side wall members.

2. The backstop and sports ball assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a sheet member coupled to said rear assembly such that said sheet member hangs freely in front of said rear assembly such that said sheet member is adapted for deadening movement of the sports ball when the sports ball contacts said sheet member whereby the sports ball is directed generally into said collection well.

3. The backstop and sports ball return assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

each of said side wall members having a side wall frame extending around an outer perimeter of said side wall, said frame having a pair of protrusions extending downwardly for engaging said base assembly, and each of said side walls having side wall netting coupled to said side wall frame.

4. The backstop and sports ball return assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

said rear assembly having a substantially horizontal center bar, an upper portion extending upwardly from said center bar and a lower portion extending generally downward from said center bar, said upper portion being pivotal relative to said lower portion, a top bar of said upper portion being coupled between upper corners of said side walls, a lower end of said lower portion being coupled between lower corners of said side walls; and

side members of said upper and lower portions being telescopic whereby said rear assembly is adjustably positionable to vary the angles between the upper portion and the lower portion relative to a rearward edge of the side wall members.

5. The backstop and sports ball return assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

upper portion netting coupled to said upper portion of said rear assembly, lower portion netting coupled to said lower portion of said rear assembly, rear side netting coupled between outer edges of said upper portion, lower portion and said side walls.

6. The backstop and sports ball return assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

said base assembly including at least one handle for facilitating transportation of said base assembly.

7. The backstop and sports ball return assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

said base assembly including a plurality of wheels for facilitating transportation of said base assembly.

8. The backstop and sports ball return assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

said base assembly including a plurality of holes, each of said holes being for receiving an associated one of said protrusions of said side wall members whereby said side wall members are engaged to said base assembly.

9. The backstop and sports ball return assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a ramp extending outwardly from a front side of said base assembly.

10. A backstop and sports ball return assembly, comprising:

a base assembly, said base assembly having a collection well portion and a chute extending from the collection well, said collection well having an inclined bottom surface and at least one angled wall whereby said collection well is adapted for directing a sports ball towards said chute when the sports ball enters the collection well;

a pair of side wall members coupled to said base, said side wall members extending upwardly from opposite sides of said base assembly;

a rear assembly coupled to said base assembly, said rear assembly extending between said side wall members;

a top assembly coupled to said side wall members and said rear assembly, said top assembly extending generally between said side wall members;

a sheet member coupled to said rear assembly such that said sheet member hangs freely in front of said rear assembly such that said sheet member is adapted for deadening movement of the sports ball when the sports ball contacts said sheet member whereby the sports ball is directed generally into said collection well;

each of said side wall members having a side wall frame extending around an outer perimeter of said side wall, said frame having a pair of protrusions extending downwardly for engaging said base assembly, and each of said side walls having side wall netting coupled to said side wall frame;

said rear assembly having a substantially horizontal center bar, an upper portion extending generally upward from said center bar and a lower portion extending generally downward from said center bar, said upper portion being pivotal relative to said lower portion, a top bar of said upper portion being coupled between a pair of upper coupling members extending outwardly from upper corners of said side walls, a lower end of said lower portion being coupled between a pair of lower coupling members extending outwardly from lower corners of said side walls;

side members of said upper and lower portions being telescopic whereby said rear assembly is adjustably positionable to vary the angles between the upper portion and the lower portion relative to a rearward edge of the side wall members;

said lower coupling members having indicia for facilitating aligning of said lower portion;

upper portion netting coupled to said upper portion of said rear assembly, lower portion netting coupled to said lower portion of said rear assembly, rear side netting coupled between outer edges of said upper portion, lower portion and said side walls;

said top assembly including a top frame and top netting coupled to said top frame;

said top frame having a rearward side pivotally coupled to said side wall members proximate said rear assembly, said top frame having a pair of extension members, each of said extension members extending downwardly from a respective side of said top frame for slidably engaging an associated one of said side wall members whereby said top frame is selectively positionable at an angle relative to an upper edge of said side wall members;

said base assembly including at least one handle for facilitating transportation of said base assembly;

said base assembly including a plurality of wheels for facilitating transportation of said base assembly;

said base assembly including a plurality of holes, each of said holes being for receiving an associated one of said protrusions of said side wall members whereby said side wall members are engaged to said base assembly; and

a ramp extending outwardly from a front side of said base assembly.