GOLF PRACTICE NET

FILET D'ENTRAINEMENT AU GOLF

English Abstract

A portable net (10) has an erected configuration for practicing golf or the
like by stopping the flight of a golf ball (22) and returning
it to a selected location and a folded configuration for storage or transport.
The portable net (10) has an elastic frame (12) that forms a
base (11) and a net support section (13). A net (18) is connected to the net
support section (13) of the frame (12) so that the net (18) is
extended away from the base (11) in the erected configuration. The net (18) is
arranged to stop the flight of a golf ball (22) that is incident
thereon. A fabric (26) is connected between the net (18) and the base (11) so
that projectile that has impinged upon the net (18) falls to
the fabric (26) and then rolls to the front portion of the portable net (10).
The frame is configured such that a person may put the frame
(12) into a folded configuration by deforming the first and second frame
members (14, 16) into a plurality of generally concentric rings.
A retainer such as a strap (134) is provided for selectively retaining the
frame (12) in the folded configuration. The frame (12) is formed
such that elastic forces in the frame spontaneously move the frame (12) to the
erected configuration when the retainer (134) is not engaged
to retain the frame (12) in the storage configuration.

French Abstract

L'invention porte sur un filet portable (10) qui en configuration dressée permet de pratiquer le golf ou des sports analogues en arrêtant le vol d'une balle de golf (22) et en la renvoyant en un point choisi, et en configuration repliée, sert pour le rangement et le transport. Le filet portable (10) présente un cadre élastique (12) formant une base (11) et une section de support (13) du filet. Un filet (18) est fixé à la section de support de filet (13) du cadre (12) de manière à ce que le filet (18) s'étende en partant de la base (11) dans la configuration dressée. Le filet (18) est conçu pour arrêter le vol d'une balle de golf (22) le frappant. Une toile (26) relie le filet à la base de manière à ce que le projectile ayant frappé le filet (18) tombe sur la toile (26) et roule vers la partie frontale du filet portable (10). Le cadre (12) est conçu pour qu'une personne puisse le placer en configuration repliée en déformant le premier et le deuxième élément (14, 16) du cadre en plusieurs anneaux sensiblement concentriques. Un élément de rétention tel qu'une sangle (134) est prévu pour maintenir le cadre (12) en position repliée. Le cadre (12) est conçu pour que son élasticité l'amène spontanément en configuration dressée lorsque l'élément de rétention (134) ne le retient pas le cadre (12) en configuration de rangement.

Claims

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WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A self-erecting portable net that has an erected configuration
for practicing golf by stopping the flight of a projectile such as a
golf ball and returning it to a selected location and a folded configuration
for storage or transport, comprising:
an elastic frame that includes a first frame member and a second frame
member, the first frame member being arranged to have an
upper frame portion and a lower frame portion, the lower frame
portion and the second frame member cooperating to form a
base that supports the portable net in a generally upright
orientation on a generally horizontal surface when the
portable net is in its erected configuration, the lower frame
portion having an end that is spaced apart from the upper
frame portion to form a front portion of the base, the second
frame member having an end that is spaced apart from the
upper frame portion to form a rear portion of the base;
a first fabric section connected to the upper frame portion, the upper
frame portion being arranged so that when the portable net is
in its erected configuration, the upper frame portion extends
upward away from the base, the first fabric section being
arranged to stop the projectile that is incident thereon;
a second fabric section connected to the lower frame portion, the
second fabric portion being arranged so that the projectile that
has impinged upon the first fabric section falls to the second
fabric section and then rolls to the front portion of the portable
net;
the frame being configured such that a person may put the frame into
the folded position by deforming the first and second frame
members into a plurality of generally concentric rings; and

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a retainer for selectively retaining the frame in the folded
configuration, the frame being formed such that elastic forces
in the frame spontaneously move the frame to the erected
configuration when the retainer is not engaged to retain the
frame in the storage configuration.
2. The self erecting portable net of Claim 1 wherein the first frame
member comprises a first single loop and wherein the second frame
member comprises a second single loop.
3. The self erecting portable net of Claim 1, further comprising a
pair of flexible cross straps connected between the upper frame portion and
the
second frame member, the pair of cross straps being arranged to maintain a
selected angular spacing between the upper frame portion and the second
frame member.
4. The self erecting portable net of Claim 1, further comprising:
a fabric band having a portion connected between the first fabric
portion and the second fabric portion;
a sleeve formed in the fabric band; and
a portion of the second frame member formed to fit within the sleeve.
5. The self erecting portable net of Claim 4, further comprising a
fabric webbing connected between a portion of the lower frame portion
and the second frame member.
6. A method for forming a self-erecting portable net that has an
erected configuration for practicing golf by stopping the flight
of a projectile such as a golf ball and returning it to a selected location
and
a folded configuration for storage or transport, comprising:
forming an elastic frame to include a first frame member and a second
frame member;

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arranging the first frame member to have an upper frame portion and
a lower frame portion that cooperate to form a base that
supports the portable net in a generally upright orientation on
a generally horizontal surface when the portable net is in its
erected configuration;
arranging the lower frame portion to have an end that is spaced apart
from the upper frame portion to form a front portion of the
base;
arranging the second frame member to have an end that is spaced
apart from the upper frame portion to form a rear portion of the
base;
connecting a first fabric section to the upper frame portion;
arranging the upper frame portion so that when the portable net is in
its erected configuration, the upper frame portion extends
upward away from the base;
arranging the first fabric section to stop the projectile that is incident
thereon;
connecting a second fabric section to the lower frame portion;
arranging the second fabric portion so that the projectile that has
impinged upon the first fabric section falls to the second fabric
section and then rolls to the front portion of the portable net;
forming the frame such that a' person may put the frame into the
folded position by deforming the first and second frame
members into a plurality of generally concentric rings;
providing a retainer for selectively retaining the frame in the folded
configuration; and

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forming the frame such that elastic forces in the frame spontaneously
move the frame to the erected configuration when the retainer
is not engaged to retain the frame in the storage configuration.
7. The method of Claim 6 including the steps of forming the first
frame member to comprise a first single loop and forming the second frame
member to comprise a second single loop.
8. The method of Claim 6, further comprising the steps of
connecting a pair of flexible cross straps between the upper frame and the
second frame member and arranging the pair of cross straps to maintain a
selected angular spacing between the upper frame portion and the second
frame member.
9. The method of Claim 6, further comprising the steps of:
connecting a fabric band having a portion between the first fabric
portion and the second fabric portion;
forming a sleeve in the fabric band; and
forming a portion of the second frame member to fit within the sleeve.
10. The method of Claim 9, further comprising the step of
connecting a fabric webbing between a portion of the lower frame portion
and the second frame member.

Description

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GOLF PRACTICE NET
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods that allow
a person to practice hitting or throwing a ball or the like in a confined
space without having the ball travel a large distance or hit other persons or
objects and cause injury or damage. Still more particularly, this invention
relates to a. net or the like for catching a golf ball that has been hit with
a
golf club and then returning the golf ball to its general location before it
was hit with the golf club.
SLT1~RVIARY OF THE INVENTION
The golf practice net according to the invention has several
advantages over the prior art. The invention catches the ball and returns it
to the golfer and requires no anchors to keep in the desired location. The
golf practice according to the invention net requires no assembly, is self-
standing, easily collapsible for storage or transit and can be used indoors or
outdoors.
A self-erecting portable net according to the invention has an
erected configuration for practicing golf or the like by stopping the flight
of a projectile such as a golf ball and returning it to a selected location
and
a folded configuration for storage or transport. The portable net comprises
an elastic frame that includes a first frame member and a second frame
member. The first frame member is arranged to have an upper frame portion
and a lower frame portion, the lower frame portion and the second frame
member cooperate to form a base that supports the portable net in a
generally upright orientation on a generally horizontal surface when the
portable net is in its erected configuration. The Iower frame portion has an
end that is spaced apart from the upper frame portion to form a front
portion of the base, and the second frame member has an end that is spaced
apart from the upper frame portion to form a rear portion of the base.

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The portable net further comprises a first fabric section connected to
the upper frame portion. The upper frame portion is arranged so that when ,
the portable net is in its erected configuration, the upper frame portion
extends upward away from the base with the first fabric section being
arranged to stop a projectile that is incident thereon.
The portable net further comprises a second fabric section connected
to the lower frame portion. The second fabric portion is arranged so that a
projectile that has impinged upon the first fabric section falls to the second
fabric section and then rolls to the front portion of the portable net. The
frame is configured such that a person may put the frame into the folded
position by deforming the first and second frame members into a plurality
of generally concentric rings. A retainer such as a strap is provided for
selectively retaining the frame in the folded configuration. The frame is
formed such that elastic forces in the frame spontaneously move the frame
to the erected configuration when the retainer is not engaged to retain the
frame in the storage configuration.
In the self erecting portable net according to the invention, the first
fame member comprises a first single loop and the second frame member
comprises a second single loop. A pair of flexible crass straps may be
connected between the upper frame and the second frame member with
the pair of cross straps being arranged to maintain a selected angular
spacing between the upper frame portion and the second frame member.
The self erecting portable net may further comprise a fabric band
having a portion connected between the first fabric portion and the
second fabric portion with a sleeve being formed in the fabric band. A
portion of the second frame member is preferably formed to f t within the ,
sleeve.
An appreciation of- the objectives of the present invention and a more
complete understanding of its structure and method of operation may be

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had by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment
and by referring to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a side of golf practice net according to the invention
and shows a golf ball that has been stricken with a golf club being incident
upon the net;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing a frame and net structure
that may be included in the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate attachment of a portion of the net to the
frame; and
FIGS. 6A-6E. illustrate steps involved in folding the golf practice net
according to the invention for storage.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, a golf practice net 10 comprises a frame I2 that
includes a pair of wire frame members 14 and 16. The wire frame members
14 and 16 are airanged to form a base I 1 and a net support 13. A fabric 18
is connected to the frame members 14 and 16. The fabric I8 includes a first
fabric section 20 that is arranged so that a golf ball 22 that has been
stricken with a golf club 24 will impinge upon the first fabric section 20.
The first fabric section 20 stops the flight of the golf ball 22, which then
rolls down to a second fabric section 26. The sect,nd fahri~ cP~tinn ~~ ;~
arranged to allow the golf ball 22 to roll back to near where the person 3 0
struck the golf ball 22 with the golf club 24.

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The first fabric section 20 preferably is formed of netting or the like
and is arranged to absorb the impact of the golf ball 22, which may be
traveling at a velocity typical for a golf ball that has been stricken with a
golf club such as an iron or a driver. The first fabric section 20 absorbs the
y
impact so that the golf ball 24 has no appreciable recoil velocity after it
hits
the first fabric section 20.
The frame members I4 and 16 are formed of a flexible material that
has a memory for the erected configuration of FIGS. I-3. Steel spring wire
is a suitable material for forming the frame members 14 and I6. The ends of
the wire frame member 14 preferably are connected together by any
convenient means so that the frame member I4 is a continuous loop. The
ends of the frame member 16 preferably are also connected together to
form a continuous loop.
The frame member 14 has an upper portion 32 and a lflwer portion
IS 34. The upper frame portion 32 preferably is substantially upright when it
is in the erected position of FIGS. I-3. The upper section 32 of the frame
member I4 is a net support section that supports the first fabric section 20.
The second fabric section 26 is mounted to the lower portion 34. The first
fabric section 20 is shown to have a curved peripheral band 40. The outer
edge of the peripheral band 40 may include a continuous sleeve 44 formed
around the periphery of the first fabric section 20 with the upper section
32 of the frame member 14 passing through the sleeve 44.
The frame member 16 and the portion of the frame member 14 that
extends below the band 40 as shown in FIGS. I-3 cooperate to form the
base for the golf practice net I0. Therefore, the golf practice net 10
according to the invention includes the base, the net support and the ball
return section. '

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The upper fabric section 20 preferably is formed generally either as a
half oval or a semicircle. The band 40 has a lower, substantially straight
portion 50 that separates the upper fabric section 20 and the lower fabric
section 26. The lower fabric section 26 has an upper end 52 connected to
the straight band portion 50 and a lower portion 54 that extends to the
generally horizontal surface 55, such the earth, upon which the golf
practice net 10 rests when in use. The straight band portion 50 is
preferably about a foot or two above the horizontal surface 55. The frame
member 14 preferably is formed such that the lower end 54 of the second
fabric section 26 is displaced a few feet laterally from the band 50.
Therefore, the second fabric section 26 preferably is inclined at a shallow
angle from the horizontal.
The lower fabric section 26 has upper ends 60 and 62 that are
mounted to the frame member 14 a few inches above the horizontal band
portion 50. The lower end 54 of the lower fabric section 26 is mounted to
the frame member 14 by any suitable means such as a sleeve 71 or by a
plurality of straps (not shown). The lower fabric section 26 may be under
tension and is preferably arranged to have a shape that directs the golf ball
22 back to the golfer 30. As illustrated, the arrangement of the upper ends
60 and 62 and the lower end 54 is such that the lower fabric section 26
has a substantially concave shape. After the golf ball 22 strikes the upper
fabric portion 20, it then rolls down to the lower fabric section 26. The
concave shape of the lower fabric section 26 directs the golf ball 22 in the
general direction of the golfer 30. Therefore, the lower portion of the frame
member 14 and the fabric 26 form a ball return section.
The frame member 16 has a substantially straight section 80 that
passes through a sleeve 82 in the straight band portion 50 and then
extends to the rear of the golf practice net 10. The frame member 16 has a
curved portion 84 that extends between the ends 86 and 88 of the straight
section 80_ A fabric band 90 has its ends 92 and 94 connected to the band

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50. The curved portion of the frame member 16 passes through a plurality
of loops 100 connected to the band 90. Alternatively, instead of the loops
100, the curved portion 80 of the frame member may pass through a sleeve
(not shown). ,
The ends of the band 50 are connected to the first frame member 14.
Therefore, near the ends of the band 50, the frame members I4 and I6 have
portions near the upper end of the second fabric section 26 that are spaced
apart by only a small distance. A pair of fabric webbings 102 and 104
extend between the first frame member 14 and the second frame member
ZO 16. Although the portions of the frame members 14 and 16 that are close
together are curved, the webbings 102 and 104 are approximately
triangular in shape. The height of the webbings I02 and I04 are such that
when the golf practice net IO is erected, the webbings are substantially
vertical and extend from the band 50 to a location near the ground. The
I5 frame section 16 is also preferably formed as a continuous loop of a
flexible
material that has a memory for the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1-3
when the golf practice net is erected.
Refernng to FIGS. 1 and 3, the golf practice net 10 preferably
includes a pair of straps 110 and I12 that extend from upper portions I14
20 and 116 on the sleeve 44 to locations I18 and 120 on the fabric band 90
near the rear edge of the curved portion 84 of the frame member I6. The
straps I 10 and 112 preferably cross one another to make a generally "X"
configuration. The straps I~10 and l I2 may be formed of heavy twine, rope,
wire, etc.
25 The golf practice net 10 may be folded for storage as shown in FIGS. ~
6A-6E. Because of the memory of the frame members 14 and 16 for the
erected configuration, unless it is constrained, the spring forces in the
frame
members 14 and 16 will cause the golf practice net IO to spontaneously

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assume the erected configuration. Therefore, the golf practice net is self-
erecting if the frame is not constrained to some other configuration.
Refernng to FIG. 6A, the first step in folding the golf practice net 10
for storage is to pull the rear leg, comprising the frame member 16 toward
the lower portion 34 of the upper frame member 14 so that they are
substantially adjacent. Referring to FIGS. 6B and 6C, the upper portion 32
of the frame member 14 is then pulled downward so that it bends about its
central portion, which is near the straight portion of the frame member 16.
Referring to FIG. 6D, after the end of the frame member 16 and the upper
and lower edges of the frame member 14 are pulled close together, the sides
of the frame members are pulled together so that the golf practice net 10 is
shaped generally as "taco shell." Referring to FIG. 6E, the folding process
continues by twisting the frame members 14 and 16 to form a pair of loops
130 and i32, which may be then held close together and secured by a
strap 134 or the like as shown in FIG. 6F. The frame members 14 and 16
then are coiled up in a compact configuration suitable for storage or
transport.
The structures and methods disclosed herein illustrate the principles
of the present invention. The invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The
described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as exemplary
and illustrative rather than restrictive. Therefore, the appended claims
rather than the foregoing description define the scope of the invention. All
modifications to the embodiments described herein that come within the
meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are embraced within the
scope of the invention.
The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as
' given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this
invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

Representative Drawing