Patent ID: 6209877
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A ball rebound device for rebounding a playground size ball propelled against the device, the rebound device comprising:a) a cord assembly including a first set of cord segments arranged in substantially parallel relationship with one another and a second set of cord segments arranged in substantially parallel relationship with one another, the first and second set of cord segments being woven together in a basket weave fashion so that the cord segments of the first set are disposed at substantially a right angle to the cord segments of the second set and so as to provide a substantially planar impact surface toward which a ball is expected to be propelled; andb) a generally rectangular frame having two pairs of opposite, spaced side members between which the first and second set of cord segments are tautly strung, wherein the cord segments of the first set of cord segments extend between the side members of one pair of side members so as to span the entire distance therebetween and wherein the cord segments of the second set of cord segments extend between the side members of the other pair of side members so as to span the entire distance therebetween, andeach side member of the frame defines a plurality of through-holes arranged in a row which extends along the length of the side member and wherein the through-holes are arranged in the plane of the impact surface, andcord segments of the first set of cord segments are provided by a first single cord which is passed back and forth between the side members of one pair of side members in a series of passes across the frame so that at the end of each pass of the first single cord across the frame, the first single cord is routed through through-holes provided in a corresponding side member of the one pair of side members so that upon stretching the first single cord to a taut condition between the side members of the one pair of side members, each pass of the first single cord across the frame is anchored to the one pair of side members so that the length of the first single cord capable of being stretched by a ball which impacts the impact surface is equal to the spaced distance between the side members of the one pair of side members, andcord segments of the second set of cord segments are provided by a second single cord which is passed back and forth between the side members of the other pair of side members in a series of passes across the frame so that at the end of each pass of the second single cord across the frame, the second single cord is routed through through-holes provided in a corresponding side member of the other pair of side members so that upon stretching the second single cord to a taut condition between the side members of the other pair of side members, each pass of the second single cord across the frame is anchored to the other pair of side members so that the length of the second single cord capable of being stretched by a ball which impacts the impact surface is equal to the spaced distance between the side members of the other pair of side members, andso that when the frame is rigidly supported relative to the ground or other underlying support surface and a ball is propelled toward the impact surface, the rebound velocity of the ball is not appreciably less than the velocity of the ball before impact with the surface.