PORTABLE ATHLETIC TARGET

• US 20140349786A1
• Filed: 05/22/2013
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey V. Melin
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey V. Melin
• Inventors: Melin, Jeffrey V.
• Granted Patent: US 9,028,346 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/446
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/003 non-electronic means for locating the point of impact on a target or the point of entry in the goal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/06 Revolving targets ; Moving targets, e.g. moving or revolving on impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/002 for football American-football dummies A63B69/34

Abstract

A portable fabric target for ball sports has at least:

• • a) three fabric panels, comprising a top first panel, a middle second panel; and a bottom third panel;
  • b) the top first panel having i) a first bottom edge attached to at top edge of the second middle panel and ii) a second outside top edge;
  • c) the top first panel having a support element extending away from the second outside top edge;
  • d) the support element having a self-latching system that connects the second outside top edge to itself to form a loop or to a section of the top first panel to form a loop;
  • e) the support element when locked around a pole supporting all weight of the portable fabric target without unlocking; and
  • f) the bottom third panel having a stabilizing component thereon.

Claims

1. A portable fabric target for ball sports comprising:

a) three fabric panels, comprising a top first panel, a middle second panel; and

a bottom third panel;

b) the top first panel having

i) a first bottom edge attached to at top edge of the second middle panel and

ii) a second outside top edge;

c) the top first panel having a support element extending away from the second outside top edge;

d) the support element having a self-latching system that connects the second outside top edge to itself to form a loop or to a section of the top first panel to form a loop;

e) the support element when locked around a pole supporting all weight of the portable fabric target without unlocking; and

f) the bottom third panel having a stabilizing component thereon.

2. The target of claim 1 wherein each panel is permanently secured to adjacent panels.

3. The target of claim 2 wherein each panel has a different color as compared to each other panel.

4. The target of claim 3 wherein the three fabric panels are aligned along a vertical length, forming a left side and a right side of the portable fabric target, and a removably attached element on at least an edge along the left side or right side is capable of being dislodged from a side when the attached element is struck by a ball having a mass of at least 50 grams moving at a speed of between 2-20 meters/second.

5. The target of claim 4 wherein the attached element comprises a fabric component that is removably secured to the left or right side.

6. The target of claim 5 wherein the attached element is removably secured by a temporary fastening system comprising locking fabric elements, snaps or clips.

7. The target of claim 3 wherein the target provides at least one panel in which a colored substance is transferable to an object when the object strikes at least a portion of the at least one panel and the object has a mass of at least 50 grams moving at a speed of between 1-20 meters/second.

8. The target of claim 4 wherein the target provides at least one panel in the colored substance has a color corresponding to the color of the at least one panel.

9. The target of claim 7 where the transferable color comprises a dry pigment that temporarily transfers onto the surface of the object.

10. The target of claim 8 where the transferable color comprises a dry pigment that temporarily transfers onto the surface of the object.

11. The target of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing component comprises a grommet in the third bottom panel and a string passing through the grommet.

12. The target of claim 1 wherein the stabilizing component comprises at least one weight distributed on the third bottom panel.

13. The target of claim 11 wherein the string is also attached to a pointed stake.

14. The target of claim 1 wherein the securing system is locked about a horizontal pole.

15. The target of claim 3 wherein the securing system is locked about a horizontal pole.

16. The target of claim 4 wherein the securing system is locked about a horizontal pole.

17. The target of claim 7 wherein the securing system is locked about a horizontal pole.

18. The target of claim 8 wherein the securing system is locked about a horizontal pole.