Foldable net

• US 6,543,776 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2001
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dancorp Investors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dancorp Investors, Inc.
• Inventors: Macaluso, Anthony G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US09/884,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20020030324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 273/398-402, 273/395, 273/396, 473/476, 473/478
• US Class Current: 273/400
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/54 Foldable elastic frame members automatically resuming their expanded state when released
• 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 foldable net includes a flexible frame that may be formed from a single wire or form a plurality of flexible tubes connected end-to-end. The frame is arranged to have an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion. The lower frame portion forms a base that supports the upper frame portion in a generally upright orientation on a generally horizontal surface with the base extending in a forward direction relative to the upper frame portion. A fabric section is connected to the frame and arranged for a projectile to be incident thereon. A plurality of straps is connected between portions of the frame to constrain it to a predetermined configuration for supporting the fabric in a position for receiving the projectile.

Claims

1. A foldable net structure for erection on a generally horizontal surface and use in an activity involving a projectile, comprising:

an elastic frame member arranged to have an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion, the lower frame portion forming a base that helps support the upper frame portion in a generally vertical orientation when the net structure is in its erected configuration;

a sleeve connected to the frame member substantially completely around the periphery of the frame member;

a net connected to the sleeve and arranged to span the interior area bounded by the frame member and absorb the impact of a projectile directed into the interior area; and

a pair of rods connected tooth sleeve, extending to the generally horizontal surface and arranged to cooperate with the base to hold the upper frame portion in its generally vertical orientation.