Return net device
First Claim
1. A ball return net apparatus, adapted to be selectively operated in conjunction with a ball tossing system, the apparatus comprising:
- a net supporting frame;
a net on the frame to receive and arrest a projected ball;
a forwardly inclined collection tray operatively associated with the net; and
an exit chute arranged such that the tray funnels the ball to the exit chute;
wherein the net is hung untensioned on the supporting frame, on the diagonal, and wherein the net includes an inclined extension overlying and attached on a forward portion of the collection tray, and further wherein one or more flaps extend transversely across the base of the hanging net and are pivotally connected thereto.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A portable return net device for receiving, arresting and returning a ball to a central collection point for pitched, thrown or batted balls in a ball practice system. The return net apparatus comprises; a net supporting frame, a net for receiving a projected ball, an inclined collection tray operatively associated with the net, and an exit chute, wherein the net is hung untensioned on the supporting frame, on the diagonal, and wherein flaps extending transversely across the base of the hanging net are pivotally connected thereto. The net absorbs the impact of a ball in conjunction with the flaps which trap a ball impacting a tensile zone of the net. The tensile zone comprises that portion of the hanging net below which there is insufficient net weight to arrest a ball in a triangular portion of the net below the point of impact. The arrested ball is conveyed by the collection tray to the exit chute for reuse.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A ball return net apparatus, adapted to be selectively operated in conjunction with a ball tossing system, the apparatus comprising:
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a net supporting frame;
a net on the frame to receive and arrest a projected ball;
a forwardly inclined collection tray operatively associated with the net; and
an exit chute arranged such that the tray funnels the ball to the exit chute;
wherein the net is hung untensioned on the supporting frame, on the diagonal, and wherein the net includes an inclined extension overlying and attached on a forward portion of the collection tray, and further wherein one or more flaps extend transversely across the base of the hanging net and are pivotally connected thereto. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A return net device for receiving and arresting a ball and returning it to a collection point comprising:
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a frame having a net frame portion and a collection frame portion, the collection frame portion being operatively associated with the net frame portion;
a net supported on the diagonal within the net frame; and
an inclined collection tray supported by the collection frame wherein the net includes a vertical net portion hanging from the net frame, sufficiently loosely to avoid rebound of the ball and an inclined portion overlying the collection tray;
and wherein the collection tray is sufficiently tensioned to allow a ball to roll from the net to the collection point;
the device further including trap means adapted to inhibit any rebound of a ball striking a tensile zone of the net. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification