Sports practice net

• US 6,793,594 B1
• Filed: 03/27/2003
• Issued: 09/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wilson Sporting Goods Company (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Athletic Training Equipment Co., Inc. (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Grant, Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernstrom, Kurt
• Application Number:
  US10/397,271
• Publication Number:
  US 20040191738A1
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 434/247, 434/251, 434/252, 473/197, 473/476, 473/477, 473/478
• US Class Current: 473/476
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• 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 free standing net system incorporates a full sized floor for easy ball collection and a built in training target secured to a rear wall of a netted enclosure which is functional for multi-sport use. The netting of the enclosure is 1000 denier polyester, treated for long wear and UV resistance. The floor is constructed of high density nylon with a water-resistant polyurethane coating. The sleeves located at the peripheral edges of the netting are engaged by two shock-corded poles to provide a cantilevered frame portion projecting above and towards the sports enthusiast. The cantilevered frame portion is specifically designed to trap wedge shots during golf practice. Angled side wings of the netted enclosure allow free swinging motion with any golf club to provide a wide angle of capture during golf practice swings.

Claims

1. A collapsible sports practice net comprising:

a floor section,

an enclosure formed of netting located above said floor section, said netting including a rear wall, first and second wing sections extending laterally from said rear wall and a cantilevered portion projecting forwardly from said rear wall and terminating in a free end above said floor section, the rear wall having a lower portion which is coupled to the floor section, the first and second wing sections forming opposing first and second oblique angles, respectively, with the rear wall at the floor section, and

at least first and second non-closed support poles engaging the netting.

2. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first support pole extends through a sleeve located at said free end of said cantilevered portion.

3. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first pole includes first and second ends, and wherein the first and second ends of the first pole terminate at a rear edge of said floor section.

4. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear wall extends to a first height, wherein the free end extends to a second height, and wherein the second height is greater than the first height.

5. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 4, wherein the second height is nine feet.

6. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first height is eight feet.

7. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first pole extends through a plurality of loops and said sleeve to support said netting.

8. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second support pole extends from a front edge of said floor section to an upper edge of said rear wall.

9. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second wing sections extend between the first and second support poles and said floor section.

10. The sports practice net of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second wings forwardly and laterally extend from the rear wall.

11. The sports practice net of claim 1, wherein the rear wall extends to a first height, wherein the first and second support poles intersect each other, at a third height, and wherein the third height is greater than 50 percent of the first height.

12. The sports practice net of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second support poles are arched.

13. The sports practice net of claim 1, wherein the first and second support poles are segmented shock-corded poles.

14. The sports practice net of claim 1, wherein the floor section forms a first rear corner with the rear wall and the first wing section, and wherein the floor section forms a second rear corner with the rear wall and the second wing section.

15. A collapsible sports practice net comprising:

an enclosure formed of netting and including a rear wall, two wing sections extending laterally from opposite sides of said rear wall and a cantilevered portion projecting forwardly from said rear wall and terminating in a free end, and

exactly two, non-closed arched support poles threaded through said enclosure for supporting the enclosure above the ground.

16. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 15, wherein one of said support poles extends through a sleeve located at said free end of said cantilevered portion.

17. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 16, wherein said one pole terminates at a bottom edge of said rear wall.

18. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 15, wherein said rear wall extends to a first height below said free end.

19. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 16, wherein said one pole extends through a plurality of loops and said sleeve to support said netting.

20. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 19, wherein said plurality of loops and said sleeve are the same color.

21. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 15, wherein two of said support poles cross each other.

22. A collapsible sports practice net as claimed in claim 21, wherein said two support poles cross at an angle of 70°

.

23. The sports practice net of claim 21, wherein the rear wall extends to a first height, wherein the two support poles cross, or intersect, at a second height, and wherein the second height is greater than 50 percent of the first height.

24. The sports practice net of claim 15, wherein the support poles are segmented shock-corded poles.