Patent ID: 7914402
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for facilitating the return of a ball driven by a user comprising: a frame having a first horizontal support member and a second horizontal support member spaced from the first horizontal support member and located rearwardly thereto to create a first space therebetween, the frame having ground contacting portions to allow the frame to stand upon the ground; and a ball return member coupled to the frame, the ball return member including a first ball return surface defined by a first section of material that is inclined relative to the ground in a direction toward the second horizontal support member, the first ball return surface including a bottom portion that is coupled to one ground contacting portion of the frame and an opposite top portion that is coupled to the second horizontal support member, the ball return member including a second ball return surface that is defined by a second section of material that is coupled at a first end to the second horizontal support member and extends in a forward direction such that a second end thereof is coupled to the first horizontal support member to define a pocket in the first space between the first and second horizontal support members, the pocket being configured and positioned relative to the inclined first ball return surface such that the pocket catches a driven ball that travels along the inclined first ball return surface to a top portion thereof and absorbs the energy of the driven ball before the ball travels by gravity back down the inclined first ball return surface back to the user, wherein the first ball return surface and the second ball return surface are coupled to the second horizontal support member such that they are spaced and suspended from the second horizontal support member.