Collapsible partition structure and backstop system

• US 6,926,060 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2003
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Justin Mark
• Original Assignee: Justin Mark
• Inventors: Mark, Justin
• Primary Examiner(s): PUROL, DAVID M
• Application Number:
  US10/682,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20050077014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 160/135, 160/351, 160/352, 522/39, 273/350, 273/398, 473/471, 473/472, 473/479, 473/481, 473/485, 473/476, 135/135, 135/98, 135/124, 135/125, 135/133, 135/138
• US Class Current: 160/135
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/7416 with free upper edge, e.g. for use as office space dividers
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2002/7479 Details of connection of flexible sheets to frame or posts

Abstract

A partition structure defining compartments shielded from moving objects, such as baseballs, from other compartments. The structure comprises a central support and at least three partition walls extending substantially radially outwardly from the central support to define at least three compartments. Each partition wall includes a lower frame element and a pliable web of material extending therefrom for shielding one of the compartments from the others. The partition structure is preferably collapsible and may be anchored to the ground via stakes. A collapsible backstop system is also disclosed, comprising a collapsible backstop and a container for receiving the collapsible backstop in its collapsed configuration for storing or transporting the backstop.

Claims

1. A partition structure for defining compartments shielded from moving objects, such as baseballs, from other compartments, the structure comprising a central support, at least three partition walls shaped and sized to extend substantially radially outwardly from the central support, the partition walls being constructed to define at least three of said compartments, each partition wall includes a lower frame element and a pliable web of material extending therefrom for shielding one of said compartments from the others, the web extending from the central support to a radially outer end of the partition wall.

2. A partition structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein there are four partition walls and four compartments.

3. A partition structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the central support comprises a vertical support corresponding to each of said partition walls.

4. A partition structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the partition structure is collapsible.

5. A partition structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein said central support and said lower frame elements are each collapsible to a length less than their respective original lengths.

6. A partition structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein said central support and said lower frame elements each comprise at least two sections, central support sections and lower frame element sections, respectively, movable with respect to one another to respective collapsed configurations.

7. A partition structure as set forth in claim 6 wherein said central support comprises a base at its lower end and an upper joint at its upper end.

8. A partition structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein said lower frame elements are hinged for pivoting about said base from a substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation adjacent said central support.

9. A partition structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein at least one of said at least two central support sections and at least one of said at least two sections of each of said lower frame element sections are telescopingly received by a corresponding other of said sections to facilitate collapse of said central support and collapse of said lower frame elements to respective collapsed configurations.

10. A partition structure as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said at least two central support sections and each of said at least two lower frame element sections are hingedly connectable to one another, so that said sections may be pivoted with respect to one another from an erect configuration, wherein corresponding sections are arranged end-to-end, to a collapsed configuration, wherein said sections are substantially parallel and substantially adjacent one another.

11. A partition structure as set forth in claim 7 further comprising at least three upper frame elements, each of said upper frame elements corresponds to one of said at least three partition walls and extends from said upper joint to a remote end of a corresponding lower frame element.

12. A partition structure as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of said webs is attachable to at least one of the central support, a corresponding lower frame element and a corresponding upper frame element at locations on said web.

13. A partition structure as set forth in claim 11 wherein each of said upper frame elements comprises at least two upper frame element sections movable with respect to one another for collapsing to a collapsed configuration adjacent said central support.

14. A partition structure as set forth in claim 13 wherein at least one of said upper frame elements is arcuate.

15. A partition structure as set forth in claim 13 wherein said at least one of said upper frame elements includes a bend.

16. A partition structure as set forth in claim 13 wherein at least one of said upper frame elements includes at least one hinge, thereby allowing said at least two upper frame element sections to pivot with respect to one another.

17. A partition structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said partition walls is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis for pivoting movement of each of said partition walls to a position substantially parallel with at least one adjacent wall.

18. A partition structure as set forth in claim 17 wherein said partition walls are pivotable to positions substantially adjacent one another.

19. A partition structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said web includes holes smaller than said moving objects.

20. A partition structure as set forth in claim 19 wherein said web comprises a mesh material.

21. A partition structure as set forth in claim 1 further comprising gussets extending between inner portions of each pair of adjacent partition walls to protect the central support of the structure from being struck by said moving objects.

22. A partition structure as set forth in claim 1 further comprising stakes for anchoring said lower frame elements to the ground.

23. A partition structure as set forth in claim 1 further comprising wheels mounted to support the structure and allow for its movement by rolling.

24. A collapsible structure for arresting the movement of moving objects, said structure comprising:

a central support oriented substantially vertically, said central support being movable between an erect configuration and a collapsed configuration, wherein said central support is longer in the erect configuration than in the collapsed configuration;

at least three lower frame elements pivotably attachable to a lower end of said central support, said lower frame elements being movable from an erect configuration to a collapsed configuration, wherein each of said lower frame elements is longer in an erect configuration than in a collapsed configuration, wherein said lower frame elements are substantially perpendicular to said central support and extend laterally outwardly when in said erect configuration and are substantially parallel and substantially adjacent said central support when in said collapsed configuration;

upper frame elements corresponding in number to said at least three lower frame elements, wherein each of said upper frame elements extends from said central support to a remote end of a corresponding lower frame element; and

webs corresponding in number to said at least three lower frame elements, wherein each of said webs extends between said central support and a corresponding lower frame element and is movable from a substantially erect configuration, wherein each web is oriented substantially vertically to arrest movement of said moving objects, to a substantially collapsed configuration, wherein each web is substantially adjacent a corresponding lower frame element and said central support.

25. A collapsible backstop system, said system comprising:

a collapsible backstop shaped and sized to arrest movement of objects, said collapsible backstop capable of alternating between an erect configuration for arresting said movement, and a collapsed configuration shaped and sized for transport or storage of said backstop, said backstop comprising at least three collapsible partition walls, and a central support for mounting each of said partition walls in a substantially vertical orientation to divide a volume defined by said backstop into compartments, said partition walls being shaped and sized to shield said compartments from moving objects from other compartments; and

a container shaped and sized for receiving said collapsible backstop in its collapsed configuration for storing or transporting said backstop.

26. A system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said container is a bag.

27. A system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said container further comprises wheels.

28. A collapsible partition structure for defining compartments shielded from moving objects, such as baseballs, from other compartments, the structure comprising at least three partition walls oriented substantially vertically, each of said partition walls having a substantially vertical inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end, said inner ends of said partition walls being positioned substantially adjacent one another such that said partition walls extend substantially radially outwardly from the center of the structure, the partition walls being constructed to define at least three of said compartments, each partition wall including a pliable web of material extending therefrom for shielding one of said compartments from the others, each web extending from said inner end of a corresponding partition wall to a radially outer end of the partition wall.