Ball returning tent net

• US 7,731,198 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kwang Han Cho
• Original Assignee: Kwang Han Cho
• Inventors: Cho, Kwang Han
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham; Mark S
• Application Number:
  US11/849,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20090062026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 273398-402, 273394-397, 473/476, 473/478, 473/434, 473/435, 473/454, 473/456, 473/198
• US Class Current: 273/396
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• 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 ball returning tent net includes a frame that is supported on the ground on three or four contact points, and a ball-catch enclosure that is supported by the frame. The ball-catch enclosure includes an aperture that is adapted to pass a ball through, and a rear wall that is adapted to catch the ball and a bottom net. The frame includes a front frame member that supports the aperture and a rear frame member that supports the rear wall. The bottom net is inclined downward toward the front frame member. The ball-catch enclosure further includes an anti-sagging device that prevents sagging of the bottom net.

Claims

1. A ball returning tent net comprising:

a) a frame that is adapted to be supported on the ground on three contact points; and

b) a ball-catch enclosure that is supported by the frame;

wherein the ball-catch enclosure comprises an aperture that is adapted to pass a ball through, a rear wall that is adapted to catch the ball and a bottom net;

wherein the frame comprises two front frame members that support the aperture and a rear frame member that supports the rear wall;

wherein the bottom net is inclined downward toward the two front frame members;

wherein the ball-catch enclosure further comprises an anti-sagging device comprising a support strip that prevents sagging of the bottom net, wherein the bottom net has a triangular shape, wherein the support strip is extended from an apex of the bottom net and is detachably attached to the rear frame member, wherein the bottom net is extended from the ball catch enclosure, and wherein the triangular shape of the bottom net is defined and supported by three points consisting of two of the three contact points of the two front frame members and the support strip on the rear frame member;

wherein the ball-catch enclosure further comprises a plurality of sleeves, wherein the front frame members and the rear frame member are inserted into the sleeves, whereby the ball-catch enclosure is supported by the front frame members and the rear frame member;

wherein each of the front frame members and the rear frame member comprises two or more elastic pole segments that are attached end to end, wherein each of the pole segments comprises a hollow rod;

wherein the frame further comprises a pole connector that connects the front frame members and the rear frame member at the top of the ball returning tent net.

2. The ball returning tent net of claim 1, wherein the pole connector comprises a T-shaped member to which the pole segments of the front frame members and the rear frame member are fixed.

3. The ball returning tent net of claim 1, wherein the ball catch enclosure further comprises three ground strips that are extended from the corners of the bottom net, and three ground pins attached to the ground strips, wherein each of the ground pins is inserted to the free end of the hollow rod.

4. The ball returning tent net of claim 1, wherein the aperture comprises a ball stopping band that is positioned at the bottom of the aperture, whereby balls rolled down the bottom net are stopped near the aperture.

5. The ball returning tent net of claim 1, further comprising a target that is positioned inside the ball-catch enclosure, wherein the target comprises a hitting surface towards which balls are directed.