U.S. patent application number 15/332994 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-11 for sport practice net with sloped bottom shell.
The applicant listed for this patent is Teammate Sports, LLC. Invention is credited to David Demery, Leon Roberts, John Stirton.
Application Number | 20170128801 15/332994 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58557936 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170128801 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stirton; John ; et
al. |
May 11, 2017 |
SPORT PRACTICE NET WITH SLOPED BOTTOM SHELL
Abstract
A sport net comprising a frame defining a raised ball portal, a
bottom shell extending at a downward slope away from the lower edge
of the ball portal, and a rear net closing off the back of the
sport net, such that balls entering the sport net are directed by
the rear net and/or bottom shell toward and into a ball collection
aperture at the lowest point in the bottom shell's downward slope
and the balls can fall through the ball collection aperture into a
collection receptacle.
Inventors: |
Stirton; John; (Oakland,
CA) ; Demery; David; (Oakland, CA) ; Roberts;
Leon; (San Ramon, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Teammate Sports, LLC |
Oakland |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58557936 |
Appl. No.: |
15/332994 |
Filed: |
October 24, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62245745 |
Oct 23, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/09 20130101;
A63B 2071/025 20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 63/00 20130101;
A63B 47/025 20130101; A63B 2063/005 20130101; A63B 2210/50
20130101; A63B 69/00 20130101; A63B 2069/0006 20130101; A63B
2208/0204 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/00 20060101
A63B063/00; A63B 69/00 20060101 A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A sport net, comprising: a frame defining an upper edge, a lower
edge, and two side edges of a ball portal, said ball portal being
raised relative to lower sections of said frame; a bottom shell
coupled with the lower edge of said ball portal, said bottom shell
defining a ball collection aperture; a rear net coupled with the
upper edge, the two side edges of said ball portal, and peripheral
edges of said bottom shell; and a plurality of tension members
configured to pull said bottom shell and said rear net away from
said ball portal, such that said plurality of tension members give
said bottom shell a downward slope as it extends away from the
lower edge of said ball portal, wherein said ball collection
aperture is positioned in said bottom shell at the lowest point on
said downward slope, such that objects rolling on said bottom shell
roll via gravity toward and into said ball collection aperture.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to
prior filed and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
62/245,745, filed Oct. 23, 2015, the entirety of which is hereby
expressly incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of sport
practice nets, particularly a sport practice net with a sloped
bottom that directs balls that enter the sport practice net toward
and into a receptacle.
[0004] Background
[0005] It is common when practicing sports activities to throw or
hit balls into a net. Such nets allow athletes to practice in small
areas relative to the space that would otherwise be required. For
example, a baseball pitcher can practice his pitching motion in his
home's garage or backyard by throwing balls into a practice net
just a few feet away, instead of needing a practice area that
encompasses the full 60 feet 6 inch distance between the rubber on
a pitcher's mound and home plate. Additionally, the pitcher can use
the net to practice alone or with a trainer, without needing a
catcher to catch the balls he throws. Similarly, athletes can hit
balls, such as baseballs, softballs, or golf balls, into sports
nets to avoid having to retrieve those balls from far away during
practice.
[0006] However, many sport practice nets trap received balls at the
bottom of the net or direct them to the ground. Because the balls
are not directed to a central retrieval area or receptacle,
retrieval of the balls can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
[0007] What is needed is a sport practice net with a sloped bottom
surface, such that balls entering the net are directed down the
sloped bottom surface to a collection receptacle. Such a net allows
balls to be automatically collected within the receptacle for
convenient reuse or storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1A depicts a front isometric view of an embodiment of a
sport net.
[0009] FIG. 1B depicts a rear isometric view of an embodiment of a
sport net.
[0010] FIG. 1C depicts a side view of an embodiment of a sport
net.
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a frame.
[0012] FIG. 3A depicts a front isometric view of an embodiment of a
net assembly.
[0013] FIG. 3B depicts a side view of an embodiment of a net
assembly.
[0014] FIG. 3C depicts an exploded view of an embodiment of a net
assembly.
[0015] FIG. 4A depicts a top view of an embodiment of a bottom
shell.
[0016] FIG. 4B depicts a side view of an embodiment of a bottom
shell.
[0017] FIG. 5 depicts a non-limiting example of measurements and
angles of one embodiment of the net assembly in a state in which it
is being pulled by tension members such that the bottom shell has a
downward slope.
[0018] FIG. 6 depicts a side view of another non-limiting example
of an embodiment in which the bottom shell has a downward
slope.
[0019] FIG. 7 depicts a full and close-up partial view of an
exemplary embodiment of a tension member.
[0020] FIG. 8A depicts angles that were experimentally measured on
an embodiment of the sport net when various levels of tension were
applied to the back of the net assembly by the tension members.
[0021] FIG. 8B depicts the results of the measurements at the
angles shown in FIG. 8A, as well as measurements of the rear net's
droop away from a straight line at various points on the rear
net.
[0022] FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of the rear net hung from a
frame to have a parabolic shape in order to take experimental
measurements.
[0023] FIG. 10 depicts an alternate embodiment of a sport net.
[0024] FIG. 11 depicts a rear view of the sport net depicted in
FIG. 10.
[0025] FIG. 12 depicts an elevation view of the sport net depicted
in FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0026] FIGS. 13A and 13B depict the net components of the sport net
depicted in FIGS. 10-12.
[0027] FIGS. 14A and 14B depict an exploded view of the net
components of the sport net depicted in FIGS. 10-13B.
[0028] FIG. 15 depicts the parabolic profile of the rear net of the
sport net depicted in FIGS. 10-14B.
[0029] FIG. 16 depicts a side view of the sport net depicted in
FIGS. 10-15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] FIG. 1A depicts a front isometric view of a sport net 100,
FIG. 1B depicts a rear isometric view of the sport net 100, and
FIG. 1C depicts a side view of the sport net 100. A sport net 100
can comprise a frame 102, frame connectors 104, a bottom shell 106,
a rear net 108, and a plurality of tension members 110. The frame
connectors 104 can connect the bottom shell 106 and rear net 108 to
a front portion of the frame 102, and the tension members 110 can
pull the bottom shell 106 and rear net 108 toward a back portion of
the frame 102. A ball receptacle 112 can be placed under the bottom
shell and rear net 108, such that the ball receptacle 112 can
receive and collect balls that enter the sport net 100.
[0031] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a frame 102. The
frame 102 can be a support structure for the sport net 100, and can
comprise a plurality of frame members 202 such as arms, legs,
crossbars, and/or other members. The frame members 202 can comprise
metal, wood, plastic, or any other material. By way of non-limiting
examples, the frame members 202 can be metal or PVC tubing.
[0032] Some of the frame members 202 can define a ball portal 204
with an open center. The ball portal 204 can be elevated by other
frame members 202 relative to lower portions of the frame 102. By
way of a non-limiting example, FIG. 2 depicts a frame 102 with four
frame members 202 defining a rectangular ball portal 204 that is
raised relative to the ground.
[0033] Other frame members 202 can extend away from the plane of
the ball portal 204. By way of a non-limiting example, FIG. 2
depicts an embodiment with frame members 202 extending
substantially orthogonally away the bottom of legs that support the
ball portal 204, such that these frame members 202 can at least
partially rest on a ground surface to keep the plane of the ball
portal 204 substantially vertical. In some embodiments the plane of
the ball portal 204 can be angled 90 degrees relative to the frame
members 202 extending toward the back of the frame 102. In other
embodiments the plane of the ball portal 204 can be angled at least
partially toward the frame members 202 extending toward the back of
the frame 102, such as being angled 3-5 degrees away from a 90
degree angle. In still other embodiments the angle between these
frame members 202 can be adjustable. In some embodiments, some
frame members 202 can be connected with selectively lockable
hinges, such that frame members 202 in the plane of the ball portal
204 can be rotated about the hinges toward and/or away from the
frame members 202 extending toward the back of the frame 102, such
that the frame 102 can be folded together for storage and/or
transport and unfolded for use. By way of a non-limiting example, a
hinged connection can be present in the frame 102 behind or
proximate to the wheels 208 shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, in some
embodiments, the frame 102 of the sport net 100 can be disassembled
into multiple components and the various nets 106 108 114 as well
as other components can be detached from the sport net 100 for
storage and/or later reassembly.
[0034] One or more tension member connectors 206 can be coupled
with the frame members 202 that extend away from the plane of the
ball portal 204, as shown in FIG. 2. The tension member connectors
206 can be hooks, loops, or other connectors to which ends of
tension members 110 can be connected, as will be discussed
below.
[0035] In some embodiments, the frame 102 can comprise one or more
wheels 208, such that the sport net 100 can be rolled on the wheels
208 to move the sport net 100 to a desired position. In some
embodiments one or more frame members 202 can be crossbars
positioned below and behind the ball portal 204, such that those
frame members 202 can support a platform and/or a ball receptacle
112, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In some embodiments the frame 102
can comprise a handle that extends to a position convenient for a
user to grasp the handle in order to push and/or pull the frame
102.
[0036] FIGS. 3A and 3B depicts a front isometric view and a side
view of a net assembly 300 comprising the frame connectors 104, the
bottom shell 106, the rear net 108, and a collection tube 302. FIG.
3C depicts an exploded view of the net assembly 300. The components
of the net assembly 300 can be coupled with one another using
stitching, fusing, or any other connection mechanism. By way of a
non-limiting example, the frame connectors 104, bottom shell 106,
and rear net 108 can be coupled together using nylon thread. The
overall net assembly 300 can be secured to the frame 102 with the
frame connectors 104 as discussed below.
[0037] The frame connectors 104 can be pieces of fabric or other
flexible material that can wrap around and be secured to the frame
members 202. By way of a non-limiting example, the frame connectors
104 can comprise a heavy duty fabric, such as 600 denier polyester
Cordura.RTM. fabric. The frame connectors 104 can be temporarily or
permanently secured around the frame members 202 that define the
ball portal 204 using hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons,
stitching, or any other securing mechanism. In some embodiments the
frame connectors 104 can be sleeves that substantially cover an
entire frame member 202. In other embodiments the frame connectors
104 can be straps or loops, such that multiple frame connectors 104
can be coupled with each frame member 202 that defines the ball
portal 204.
[0038] The bottom shell 106 can be coupled with the frame
connectors 104 that attach to the lowest frame member 202 that
partially defines the ball portal 204, such that the bottom shell
106 extends downward and away from plane of the ball portal 204
from the lowest edge of the ball portal 204. The shape and angle of
the bottom shell 106 can form a funnel or slide that directs
objects rolling along its surface toward and into a ball collection
aperture 304.
[0039] The bottom shell 106 can comprise fabric or other material
that is sewn to or otherwise coupled with the lowest frame
connectors 104. By way of a non-limiting example, the bottom shell
106 can comprise a heavy duty fabric, such as 600 denier nylon
Cordura.RTM. fabric.
[0040] FIG. 4A and 4B depict top and side views of an exemplary
embodiment of the bottom shell 106. In some embodiments, the bottom
shell 106 can comprise four sections: a central trapezoidal section
402, two side triangular sections 404, and a back strip 406. The
central trapezoidal section 402 can have a long edge, a short edge
that is parallel to the long edge, and two angled edges. The
central trapezoidal section's long edge can be coupled with the one
or more frame connectors 104 that attach to the bottom of the ball
portal 204. The two side triangular sections 404 can each extend
from, or be coupled with, an angled edge of the central trapezoidal
section 402. The two side triangular sections 404 can also be
oriented at an angle relative to the plane of the central
trapezoidal section 402, such that they slope upward as they extend
away from the central trapezoidal section 402. The back strip 406
can connect vertexes of the two side triangular sections 404 that
are beyond the central trapezoidal section's short edge, as shown
in FIG. 4A. As such, the central trapezoidal section 402, two side
triangular sections 404, and back strip 406 can surround and define
a square or rectangular ball collection aperture 304. In alternate
embodiments the bottom shell 106 can comprise any other number of
pieces with other shapes and sizes, and the ball collection
aperture 304 can have any other shape.
[0041] The bottom shell 106 can be angled relative to the one or
more frame connectors 104 at the bottom of the ball portal 204,
such that the ball collection aperture 304 is lower than the lowest
point of the frame's ball portal 204. By way of a non-limiting
example, the embodiment of the bottom shell 106 shown in FIG. 4A-4B
can be sloped such that the central trapezoidal section 402 extends
away from the ball portal 204 at a downward slope, and the angles
and orientations of the central trapezoidal section 402 and two
side triangular sections 404 relative to the ball portal 204 can
form a funnel or slide that directs objects rolling on their
surfaces toward and into the ball collection aperture 304. As will
be discussed further below, tension members 110 can be coupled with
the bottom shell 106 to pull the bottom shell 106 such that it is
oriented to have such a downward slope.
[0042] In some embodiments a collection tube 302 can be coupled
with the bottom shell 106, such that the collection tube 302 hangs
below the ball collection aperture 304. The collection tube 302 can
be coupled with the edges of the ball collection aperture 304, such
as with stitching or fusing. In other embodiments the collection
tube 302 can be an extension of one or more components of the
bottom shell 106.
[0043] The collection tube 302 can have side walls and open ends,
such that objects can pass through the ball collection aperture 304
into one end of the collection tube 302, through the collection
tube 302, and out the other end of the collection tube 302. In some
embodiments the collection tube 302 can comprise the same material
as the bottom shell 106, while in other embodiments the collection
tube 302 can comprise a different material. In some embodiments the
collection tube 302 can have a cross-section shaped like the shape
of the ball collection aperture 304. By way of a non-limiting
example, the collection tube 302 shown in FIG. 3C has a square
cross-section. In other embodiments the collection tube 302 can be
shaped differently than the shape of the ball collection aperture
304, such as being oval, curved, tapered, or have any other shape.
In alternate embodiments the collection tube 302 can be absent.
[0044] A ball receptacle 112 can be positioned below the ball
collection aperture 304 and/or the collection tube's open end, such
that objects passing through the ball collection aperture 304 fall
into the ball receptacle 112. The ball receptacle 112 can be a
bucket, can, box, or any other receptacle, such as a plastic
bucket. In some embodiments, the ball receptacle 112 can be placed
on and be supported by a platform and/or crossbars on the frame
102, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C. In some embodiments, the ball
receptacle 112 can be provided with the sport net 100, while in
other embodiments the ball receptacle 112 can be provided by a
user.
[0045] The rear net 108 can extend between frame connectors 104 and
the back of the bottom shell 106, to close off the back of the
sport net 100 while leaving the ball portal 204 open. As shown in
FIGS. 1A-1C and 3A-3B, the top and sides of the rear net 108 can be
coupled with frame connectors 104 attached to the frame members 202
along the sides and/or top of the ball portal 204, while the bottom
edges of the rear net can be coupled with side and rear peripheral
edges of the bottom shell 106.
[0046] In some embodiments the rear net 108 can comprise mesh or
netting material defining a plurality of apertures. By way of a
non-limiting example, the rear net 108 can comprise a polyester
mesh material with members surrounding a series of holes, such as
1/4'' square holes. In alternate embodiments the rear net 108 can
comprise a flexible but solid material.
[0047] In some embodiments the rear net 108 can comprise multiple
segments of material coupled together. By way of a non-limiting
example, the rear net 108 can comprise a triangular section on
either side of a central trapezoidal section, with the three
sections being coupled together on their edges with heavy binding
tape and/or nylon thread. In alternate embodiments the rear net 108
can be a single piece of material.
[0048] In some embodiments some or all sections of the rear net 108
can have more material than is needed to linearly span between the
frame connectors 104 and edges of the bottom shell 106, such that
the excess material at least partially sags downward and/or inward.
By way of a non-limiting example, the side view of FIG. 1C shows a
central section of the rear net 108 partially sagging toward the
center of the sport net, inward and away from a direct line between
the top frame connector 104 and the back of the bottom shell 106,
while not obstructing objects rolling on the bottom shell 106 or
entering the ball collection aperture 304. This excess material can
allow the rear net 108 to move and/or flex when impacted, such that
the rear net 108 can absorb and/or deflect impact forces. In some
embodiments the central section of the rear net 108 can be provided
with more excess material than the side sections.
[0049] The tension members 110 can be coupled between tension
member connectors 206 on the frame 102 and positions proximate to
the rear edges of the bottom shell 106 and/or rear net 108. In some
embodiments the tension members 110 can be elastic or inelastic
straps, cords, strings, ropes, or other elongated members. By way
of a non-limiting example, the tension members 110 can be straps
stitched into the seam between the back edges of the rear net 108
and the back edges of the bottom shell 106, and the straps can have
grommets that can be hooked onto the tension member connectors 206
on the frame 102.
[0050] The tension members 110 can be configured to pull the bottom
shell 106 and/or rear net 108 away from the ball portal 204, such
that the bottom shell 106 is oriented with a downward slope as it
extends away from the ball portal 204 and toward the ball
collection aperture 304. FIG. 5 depicts a non-limiting example of
measurements and angles of one embodiment of the net assembly 300
in a state in which it is being pulled by tension members 110 such
that the bottom shell 106 has a downward slope, however other
embodiments can have different angles and measurements, and/or the
angles can be changed by adjusting the tension members 110 as will
be discussed below. FIG. 6 depicts a side view of another
non-limiting example of an embodiment in which the bottom shell 106
has a slope such that it extends 30 inches horizontally and 8
inches vertically from front to back.
[0051] In some embodiments, the tension on the tension members 110
can be adjustable, such that the amount of force pulling the back
of the net assembly 300 away from the ball portal 204 can be varied
to make the net assembly 300 more or less elastic or slack. By way
of a non-limiting example, the tension members 110 can be adjusted
to pull on the back of the net assembly 300 with 0, 5, or 10 pounds
of tension. In other embodiments the tension members 110 can be
anchored to different tension member connectors 206 positioned at
different locations on the frame 102 to adjust the amount of pull
on the back of the net assembly 300. In some embodiments one or
more tension members 110 can be combined to reach a desired
tension.
[0052] FIG. 7 depicts a non-limiting example of one embodiment of
an adjustable tension member 110. The tension member 110 can
comprise an elongated member 702 coupled one on end with a cord 704
and on the other end with a frame connector 706. The elongated
member 702 can be coupled with or pass through a net connector 708
at an interior point on the elongated member, such that the
elongated member 702 can be folded back on itself at the net
connector, as shown in FIG. 7. The elongated member 702 can be a
strap of flexible material, such as nylon or other fabric. The cord
704 can be a stretchable and/or elastic cord, such as a bungee
cord.
[0053] A plurality of attachment members 710 can be coupled with
the elongated member 702 at different positions along its length,
and the cord 704 can terminate with a cord connector 712 configured
to attach to the type of attachment members 710 present on the
elongated member 702. The attachment members 710 and/or cord
connector 712 can be D-rings, O-rings, triangle rings, hooks,
loops, snaps, latches, buckles, clips, or any other attachment
mechanism. By way of a non-limiting example, the attachment members
710 can be D-rings attached to straps extending from the elongated
member 702, and the cord connector 712 can be a hook configured to
selectively latch onto any of the D-rings.
[0054] The frame connector 706 and net connector 708 can similarly
each be D-rings, O-rings, triangle rings, hooks, loops, snaps,
latches, buckles, clips, or any other attachment mechanism, such
that they can be selectively attached to a tension member connector
206 on the frame 102 or the back of the net assembly 300. In
alternate embodiments the frame connector 706 and net connector 708
can be switched with one another, such that the tension member 110
attaches between the net assembly 300 and a tension member
connector 206 in a reversed orientation.
[0055] In use, a user can choose which attachment member 710 to
connect the cord connector 712 to, in order to adjust the tension
on the back of the net assembly 300. In some embodiments, the
attachment members 710 can be spaced such that connecting the cord
connector 712 to the attachment member 710 closest to the net
connector 708 exerts little to no tension on the back of the net
assembly 300, while connecting to each attachment member 710
farther down the elongated member 702 exerts progressively more
tension on the net assembly 300. By way of a non-limiting
embodiment, some embodiments can have the attachment members 710
spaced four inches apart, and connecting the cord connector 712 to
each one can provide approximately 2.5 pounds of tension more than
the previous attachment member 710.
[0056] In alternate embodiments, the tension members 110 can be
straps with an adjustable length, such that their length can be
adjusted to increase or decrease the tension on the net assembly
300. By way of a non-limiting example, the tension members 110 can
be straps with strap adjusters that can be used to increase or
decrease the length of the tension members 110. By way of another
non-limiting example, the tension members 110 can be a belt with a
buckle that can connect to one of a plurality of preset positions
on the belt to change its length.
[0057] The tension members 110 can allow users to adjust the net
assembly to have more or less give when absorbing impact forces or
deflecting objects. By way of a non-limiting example, the tension
members 110 can be adjusted to pull on the net assembly 300 and
give it its shape, but to not pull strongly enough that the rear
net 108 is tensioned so that objects hitting it are deflected back
out of the sport net 100. A user can adjust the tension provided by
the tension members 110 as appropriate for the sport being
practiced, as balls in some sports move faster than others and thus
a different level of elasticity and impact absorption can be
desired from the net. By configuring the tension members 110 to
pull the back of the net assembly 300 farther away from the ball
portal 204, the net assembly 300 can become relatively more rigid
and have less give when impacted by an object, whereas by
configuring the tension members 110 to pull the back of the net
assembly 300 less distance away from the ball portal 204, the net
assembly 300 can become less rigid and have more give when impacted
by an object.
[0058] By way of a non-limiting example of how adjustment of the
tension members 110 can change the force of the pull on the net
assembly 300 and/or can stretch or flex portions of the sport net
100 into different shapes and orientations, FIG. 8A depicts angles
that were experimentally measured on an embodiment of the sport net
100 when various levels of tension were applied to the back of the
net assembly 300 by the tension members 110. FIG. 8B depicts the
results of those measurements at varying levels of tension, with
"z" indicating the length of the net assembly 300 from front to
back along a horizontal axis. As can be seen, experiments show that
the seams of the net assembly 300 are pulled harder when the
tension provided by the tension members 110 increases, and the
expansion of the net assembly 300 can be given as a coefficient of
those changes. Additionally, as the tension increases, in some
embodiments the substantially vertical portions of the frame 102
can be pulled partially backward toward substantially horizontal
portions of the frame, such as by 2-3 degrees. FIG. 8B also lists
measurements of the rear net's droop away from a straight line at
various points on the rear net 108 away from the top frame member
202 at varying levels of tension.
[0059] In some embodiments, the slope of the bottom shell 106 can
be determined by a formula depending on the tension applied by the
tension members 110. By way of a non-limiting example, in some
embodiments the slope of the center front of the bottom shell 106
(on a standard x, y, z coordinate system) can be calculated with a
formula derived from the measurements of FIG. 8B:
y=f(x,z,t)=-8*z/(28.5+t/20), where t is the amount of tension in
pounds provided by the tension members 110.
[0060] Similarly, in some embodiments the shape of the rear net 108
can be determined by a formula. By way of a non-limiting example,
in some embodiments the shape of the rear net 108 can be calculated
with a formula derived from experimental measurements obtained by
hanging the rear net 108 on a frame and pulling it into a parabolic
shape, as shown in FIG. 9. These measurements were taken at varying
amounts of tension over the surface of the rear net 108 by
measuring displacement from the distance between upper rear seams
joining the central section and side triangular sections of the
rear net 108, and scaling the curvature of the pattern's sides to
fit the length of the seams, pleating material at the bottom when
forming the seams. A formula derived from these measurements by
normalizing the hanging rear net 108 over the frame, scaling by a
second degree curve using a polynomial lease-squares method, and
adjusting for the tension t, in pounds, was calculated as
y=f(x,z,t)=t*|f(z)|*f(x)=(108/(t+100))*(1-x
2/849)*(0.05+0.462*z-0.007*z 2).
[0061] In use, a user can throw or hit objects toward the sport net
100. By way of a non-limiting example, users can throw or hit
sports balls toward the sport net 100, such as baseballs,
softballs, tennis balls, wiffle balls, golf balls, or any other
type of ball. If the object passes through the ball portal 204, it
can hit the back of the rear net 108. The rear net 108 can flex to
absorb the force of the object's impact, and/or can deflect the
object's path toward the bottom shell 106. The object can roll down
the bottom shell's sloped shape toward and into the ball collection
aperture 304, after which it can fall into a ball receptacle
positioned below the ball collection aperture 304. The object can
pass through the collection tube 302, and into. As such, a user can
throw or hit multiple objects into the sport net 100, and they can
all be directed by the net assembly 300 through the ball collection
aperture 304 into the ball receptacle 112, where they can be
collected for convenient reuse or storage.
[0062] In some embodiments, an auxiliary net 114 can be coupled
with the frame 102 around the ball portal 204, in order to catch
objects that do not pass into the ball portal 204. By way of a
non-limiting example, FIGS. 1A-1C depict an auxiliary net 114
mounted on the frame 102 below the bottom of the ball portal 204,
such that objects hit or thrown too low to enter the net assembly
300 through the ball portal 204 can be caught by the auxiliary net
114.
[0063] FIG. 10 depicts an alternate embodiment of a sport net, FIG.
11 depicts a rear view of the sport net depicted in FIG. 10 and
FIG. 12 depicts an elevation view of the sport net depicted in
FIGS. 10 and 11. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 10-12, a sport
net 100 can comprise a frame 102, frame connectors 104, a bottom
shell 106, a rear net 108, and a plurality of tension members 110.
The frame connectors 104 can connect the bottom shell 106 and rear
net 108 to a front portion of the frame 102, and the tension
members 110 can pull the bottom shell 106 and rear net 108 toward a
back portion of the frame 102. A ball receptacle 112 can be placed
under the bottom shell and rear net 108, such that the ball
receptacle 112 can receive and collect balls that enter the sport
net 100. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 10-12, the sport net
100 can further comprise one or more diagonal braces 1002 that can
selectively couple with the front portion of the frame 102 and the
back portion of the frame 102. The one or more diagonal braces 1002
can be configured to allow the front and back portions of the frame
102 to be selectively transitioned between a folded or closed
position wherein the front and back portions of the frame 102 are
substantially parallel and an open position wherein the front and
back portions of the frame 102 are substantially perpendicular via
a pivot connection 1010. Additionally, in some embodiments, the
back portion of the frame 102 can comprise a cross-bar 1004
connecting the legs of the back portion of the frame 102.
[0064] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 10-12, one or more of
the corners 1006 of the frame 102 can have rounded corners.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the device can comprise a
plurality of handles 1008 coupled with the cross-bar 1004.
Moreover, in some embodiments, one more net components can be
constructed in a unitary fashion and/or fixedly connected.
[0065] As depicted in FIG. 12, in some embodiments, the sport net
100 can comprise wheels 1202 to facilitate transportation of the
sport net 100. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 12, the wheels
1202 can be coupled with the frame 102 such that the wheels 1202
are elevated out of the plane of the base portion of the frame 102
at a slight angle 1204 such that when the base portion of the frame
102 is in contact with a surface, the wheels 1202 will be slightly
elevated from the surface with which the base portion of the frame
102 is in contact with.
[0066] Additionally, in some embodiments, the diagonal brace 1002
can be selectively coupled with the base portion of the frame 102
via a fastener 1206. In some embodiments, the fastener 1206 can be
a nut-type fastener. However, in alternate embodiments the fastener
1206 can be any known, convenient and/or desired selective and/or
fixed-type fastening mechanism or device.
[0067] FIGS. 13A and 13B depict the net components of the sport net
depicted in FIGS. 10-12. As depicted, the rear net 108 includes a
catenary-type sag such based on the formulae and data described
herein such that when a moving ball comes in contact with the rear
net 108, the rear net will dissipate the associated kinetic energy
and the other portions of the netting will direct the ball into the
ball receptacle 112. In some embodiments the auxiliary net 114 can
be similarly configured to dissipate kinetic energy and contain a
errant ball within the auxiliary net 114.
[0068] FIGS. 14A and 14B depict an exploded view of the net
components of the sport net depicted in FIGS. 10-13B. In the
embodiment depicted in FIGS. 14A and 14B, the nets can comprise a
rear portion 1402, two side nets 1404 and 1406, a base shell 106
(alternately a base net) and a funnel portion 1408. In some
embodiments all or some net components/portions 1402 1404 1406 1408
106 can be unitary construction. However, in alternate embodiments,
only some net components/portions 1402 1404 1406 1408 106 can be
unitary construction and one or more other net components 1402 1404
1406 1408 106 can be separate/individual net components 1402 1404
1406 1408 106.
[0069] FIG. 15 depicts the parabolic profile of the rear net of the
sport net depicted in FIGS. 10-14B. In some embodiments the shape
of the rear net 108 can be determined by a formula. By way of a
non-limiting example, in some embodiments the shape of the rear net
108 can be calculated with a formula derived from experimental
measurements obtained by hanging the rear net 108 on a frame and
pulling it into a parabolic shape, as shown in FIG. 15. These
measurements were taken at varying amounts of tension over the
surface of the rear net 108 by measuring displacement from the
distance between upper rear seams joining the central section and
side triangular sections of the rear net 108, and scaling the
curvature of the pattern's sides to fit the length of the seams,
pleating material at the bottom when forming the seams. A formula
derived from these measurements by normalizing the hanging rear net
108 over the frame, scaling by a second degree curve using a
polynomial lease-squares method, and adjusting for the tension t,
in pounds, was calculated as
y=f(x,z,t)=t*|f(z)|*f(x)=(108/(t+100))*(1-x
2/849)*(0.05+0.462*z-0.007*z 2).
[0070] FIG. 16 depicts an side view of the sport net depicted in
FIGS. 10-15. In some embodiments the shape of the side and base
nets 1404 1406 1408 can be determined sag of the net under its own
weight which can be dependent upon the tension on the tensioning
members 110. By way of a non-limiting example, in some embodiments
the shape of the side and base nets 1404 1406 1408 can be
calculated with a formula derived from experimental measurements
obtained by hanging the side and rear nets 1404 1406 1408 or in the
case of a unitary net, hanging the net 108 on a frame and pulling
it into shape, as shown in FIG. 16.
[0071] Although the invention has been described in conjunction
with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described
and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such
alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the
spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *