Barrier support structure

• US 9,011,278 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2011
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William Coleman Lay
• Original Assignee: William Coleman Lay
• Inventors: Lay, William Coleman
• Primary Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US13/115,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20120302381A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,427 Days
• Field of Search: 473454-456, 473/421, 473/422, 473/197, 473/434, 473/435, 473/446, 473/449, 473/470, 473/471, 473476-478, D21/699, D21/705
• US Class Current: 473/454
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/24 Ice hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/54 Foldable elastic frame members automatically resuming their expanded state when released
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

The present invention provides for the first time a barrier support structure comprising at least one removable closed-loop resilient coilable frame having a perimeter. The removable closed-loop coilable frame comprises at least one connection member. A support base comprises at least one attachment member. The attachment member removably attaches to the connection member of the removable coilable frame. The attachment member maintains a predetermined angle between the removable coilable frame and the support base.

Claims

1. A sports barrier support structure for resting on a support surface for impeding the flight of projectiles comprising:

a support base for placement on the support surface, the support base comprising;

a first upright attachment member having a flexible upper portion, a lower portion and a fitting removeably connecting the upper flexible portion to the lower portion;

a second upright attachment member having a flexible upper portion and a lower portion;

a fitting removeably connecting the upper flexible portion to the lower portion;

wherein the first and second flexible upper portions help absorb the impact of the projectiles and allow the projectiles to be restrained in a small area;

a resilient coilable frame having a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side, wherein the top, the bottom, the first side, and the second side form a perimeter when uncoiled;

a barrier portion attached to the perimeter of the resilient coilable frame for impeding the flight of projectiles; and

first and second attachment sleeves formed on the first and second sides of the resilient coilable frame, wherein the first and second upright attachment members are slidably received within the first and second attachment sleeves; and

wherein the first and second attachment sleeves maintain a predetermined angle between the removable coilable frame and the foldable support base.

2. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein a substantially tubular sleeve surrounds at least a portion of the perimeter of the resilient coilable frame allowing the resilient coilable frame to axially rotate within the tubular sleeve.

3. The barrier support structure in claim 1, wherein the resilient coilable frame is substantially square in shape.

4. The barrier support structure in claim 1, further comprising at least one corner support for constraining at least one corner of the resilient coilable frame.

5. The barrier support structure in claim 1, further comprising:

a) a first pivoting mechanism connecting the support base and the first upright attachment member, the first pivoting mechanism adjusts the first side of the coilable frame'"'"'s upright angle with respect to the support surface; and

b) a second pivoting mechanism connecting the support base and the second upright attachment member, the second pivoting mechanism adjusts the second side of the coilable frame'"'"'s upright angle with respect to the support surface.

6. The barrier support structure in claim 1, further comprising a pivoting mechanism attached to the support base for allowing the support base to fold.