Sportnet

• US 6,485,373 B1
• Filed: 04/18/2000
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roger A. Stephens
• Original Assignee: Roger A. Stephens
• Inventors: Stephens, Roger A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US09/552,175
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 473/415, 473/197, 473/163, 473/190, 473/454, 473/476, 473/478, 273/400
• US Class Current: 473/197
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/006 Forming a target or goal by fixing net or target area to garage doorway or garage parts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

A multiple sport practice apparatus which permits a person to engage in the repetitive striking of such objects at any position, even in a relatively confined location, so as to tone the required muscles, develop muscle memory of the proper motion, and develop the proper execution of the striking motion. The multiple sports practice apparatus includes, a secondary safety net section used as a back up for stray balls, and a impact net section used as the primary target so that projectile that has impinged upon falls to the base of apparatus. The apparatus is arranged to stop the flight of a ball that is incident thereon, and is suspended in Four Corners, to a structure such as rafters or walls in a garage or warehouse, but not limited to. The two nets making the apparatus gather as they rest on playing surface to form a seal at the bottom to catch balls directed toward apparatus. Balls are restrained and caught by the apparatus and laid to rest on playing surface. Gathered portion of nets also acts as a deterrent to ball rolling while on the playing surface.

Claims

1. A sports apparatus, to limit flight of a projectile that is thrown or hit in a sports activity comprising:

(a) an irregular rectangular shaped safety net, said safety net having openwork weave pattern through which a ball the size of a golf ball cannot pass;

(b) an impact net, said impact net comprising a fine mesh and is the primary target which ball is impinged upon;

(c) a retraction system, said retraction system is used for storing apparatus in a horizontal position when not in use;

the safety net further comprising;

(d) three vertical sides, with the longest vertical side forming a right angle to the shortest vertical side, said shortest vertical side forming a 45 degree angle inward to the third side, and the fourth side open to allow projectiles to be impinged upon said three vertical sides;

(e) a top, said top is joined to vertical side to restrict projectiles from escaping and allowing a swinging object such as a club used in the sport of golf to exit without getting caught in said safety net;

(f) said three sides are longer than the distance from top edge to ground;

(g) a twine, said twine is woven in and out of safety net half way from the ground to said top edge, and is tied to opposite side and used for selectively retracting apparatus in a horizontal position when not in use, said twine forms a pocket when pulled and secured for bottom half of said apparatus to fold into and stay tucked away when not in use.