Abstract:
A multi-sports ball return net system and a method thereof that consistently returns a ball hit, kick, thrown or strike into it directly to a user and is portable, easy to assemble and disassemble. The multi-sports ball return net system has a frame and a net mounted across the frame. The net forms an upper U-shape forward bulging pillow and a lower U-shape channel or hammock. A ball propelled into the U-shape pillow drops down to the U-shape channel, which funnels the ball to the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel for discharge toward the user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a multi-sports ball return net system and method thereof. Specifically, it relates to an improved return net system that is portable and returns a ball propelled into the net directly towards the user. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   For sports that use a ball, it is common for a person to practice making contact with (i.e. by hitting, kicking, throwing or striking) the ball to propel it in a direction. Repetition during practice helps achieve precision in making contact with the ball in the proper manner to propel the ball in a desired direction. To be able to practice hitting, kicking, throwing or striking a ball, there is a need to constantly retrieve the ball, so that it can be hit, kicked, thrown or strike repeatedly. 
   One way to achieve this is to have another person catch the ball and return it to the hitter. Another way to achieve this is to utilize a net system. A typical prior art net system includes a rectangular shaped frame with a net mounted across the frame. A ball hit into the net is bounced back, usually not directly to the user unless the ball hit the net at an angle normal to the plane of the net. Therefore, a user of such prior art net system has to, disadvantageously, constantly move to different positions to catch the returned ball. Examples of similar prior art systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,905,996 and 5,269,527. 
   Another prior art net system utilizes a net that is configured into a pocket shape to collect balls, which may then be returned to the user via formed chutes. With the need of extraneous structure and parts such as chutes disadvantageously make such prior art system more difficult to transport or assembled. Examples of similar prior art systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,805,070 and 6,620,064. 
   Therefore, there is a need for a portable multi-sports ball return net system that can be easily transported and returns a ball to the user with minimal or no effort of the user to retrieve the returned ball. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a multi-sports ball return net system and a method thereof that consistently returns a ball hit, kick, thrown or strike into it directly to a user and is portable, easy to assemble and disassemble. 
   The multi-sports ball return net system of the present invention comprises a frame and a net mounted across the frame. The net forms an upper U-shape forward bulging pillow and a lower U-shape channel or hammock. A ball propelled into the U-shape pillow drops down to the U-shape channel, which funnels the ball to the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel for discharge toward the user. 
   The frame of the multi-sports ball return net system comprises a plurality of substantially straight tubular members that are interconnected to form an upstanding frame having a S-shape profile. The frame includes an upper front transverse member, each end of which is connected to an upper rearwardly extending horizontal member, each end of which is connected to an upper downwardly extending vertical member, each end of which is connected to an intermediate downwardly extending and forwardly inclined member, each end of which is connected to a lower downwardly extending vertical member, each end of which is connected to a lower rearwardly extending horizontal member, each end of which is connected to the two ends of a lower rear transverse member. 
   The net of the multi-sports ball return net system has a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape. The longer parallel edge of the net is sleeved across the upper front transverse member and the pair of upper horizontal members. Each side edge of the net is sleeved over one of the pair of upper vertical member, intermediate inclined member and lower vertical member. 
   The multi-sports ball return net system of the present invention can be used to consistently return balls to the user in such sports as golf, football (punting and place-kicking), soccer, baseball (hitting and pitching), softball (hitting and pitching), lacrosse, and street hockey. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and are shown (not to scale) in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein: 
       FIG. 1  shows a top perspective view of the frame of the multi-sports ball return net system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  shows a front view of the net of the multi-sports ball return net system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  shows a front view of the net compacted on the upper front transverse member during assembly of the multi-sports ball return net system of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 4  show a front view of the multi-sports ball return net system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of the multi-sports ball return net system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  shows a detail view of the U-shape channel formed on the net of the multi-sports ball return net system of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show the sequence of a ball  50  hitting into and being returned by the net  30  of the ball return net system  10  is returned. 
       FIG. 9  is a detail view showing the raising of the U-shape channel with hook and cord. 
       FIG. 10  is a detail view showing the angling of the impact zone with hook and cord. 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the multi-sports ball return net system of the present invention with an angled impact zone. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   With reference to the drawing wherein the same reference number illustrates the same element throughout,  FIG. 1  shows the frame  20  of the multi-sports ball return net system  10  of the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the frame  20  of the multi-sports ball return net system  10  is constructed from a plurality of tubular elements  22 . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  has 14 tubular elements  22 —two each of  22   a - 22   g . The tubular elements  22  may be made of a light weight material such as aluminum, plastic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Each tubular element  22  may have one tapered end for fitting into another tubular element&#39;s  22  non-tapered end. The tubular elements  22  may be interconnected by any methods known to connect tubular elements, such as snap fitting or frictional fitting. The tubular elements  22  may also be interconnected with the use of a pushbutton on the tapered end with a corresponding opening on the non-tapered end. 
   To further facilitate assembly of the frame  20 , the corresponding ends of each pair of tubular elements  22  at each interconnection have matching color codes or bands, as illustrated by matching color bands  24   a  and  24   b  at interconnection  26 . The color coding of the tubular elements  22  allow a user to simply join the tubular elements  22  having matching colors (e.g. red to red, blue to blue, etc.) to form an interconnection. For the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , fourteen (14) color codes or bands are required (not shown). Other types of matching indicia can be used to facilitate matching the tubular elements  22  to form an interconnection. 
   The interconnection and color coding of the tubular elements  22  facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the frame  20  of the multi-sports ball return net system  10  to make it easily and quickly transportable to different locations. It takes approximately 5 minutes to assemble the frame  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   Tubular elements  22  are assembled as shown in  FIG. 1  to form the frame  20 —the two tubular elements  22   a  interconnect to form the upper front transverse member  28 ; each end of the two tubular elements  22   a  interconnects with a tubular element  22   b  to form a pair of parallel upper rearwardly extending horizontal members  32 ; each end of the two tubular elements  22   b  interconnects with a tubular element  22   c  to form a pair of parallel upper downwardly extending vertical member  34 ; each end of the two tubular elements  22   c  interconnect with a tubular element  22   d  to form a pair of parallel intermediate downwardly extending and forwardly inclined member  36 ; each end of the two tubular elements  22   d  interconnect with a tubular element  22   e  to form a pair of parallel lower downwardly extending vertical member  38 ; each end of the two tubular elements  22   e  interconnect with a tubular element  22   f  to form a pair of parallel lower rearwardly extending horizontal member  42 ; the two tubular elements  22   g  interconnect to form the lower rear transverse member  44 ; each end of the two tubular elements  22   f  interconnects with the lower rear transverse member  44 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , frame  20  has a S-shape profile. The upper front transverse member  28  is in substantial vertical alignment with the lower vertical member  38  and the lower rear transverse member  44  is in substantial vertical alignment with the upper vertical member  34 . This configuration allows the frame  20  to be self-supporting without any additional mounting or stabilizing elements. 
   The frame  20  can have various dimensions, depending on the type of sports the ball return net system  10  is used for and the space where the ball return net system  10  is being used. The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3  has a width of 8′, height of 7′5″ and a depth of 38″. Using lightweight aluminum tubular elements  22  that are 1.5″ in diameter, the frame  20  weighs approximately 20 lbs. When disassembled, the tubular elements  22  can easily fit in a bag  55 ″ in length and 12″ in diameter to make it easily transportable. 
     FIG. 2  shows the net  30  of the multi-sports ball return net system  10  of the present invention. Net  30  has a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape. Each of the longer parallel edge  46  and the side edges  48  of the net  30  has a sleeve  52  for mounting onto the frame  20 . 
   The width of the longer parallel edge  46  of the net  30  is the same or slightly longer than the total length of the upper front transverse member  28  and the pair of parallel upper horizontal members  32 . The height of the net  30  is longer than the height of the frame  20 . For the frame  20  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the net  30  has a width of 13′ at the longer parallel edge  46 , a width of 9′ at the shorter parallel edge  54  and a height of 12′. The dimensions of the net  30  can vary correspondingly with the dimensions of the frame  20 . The degree of tapering of the trapezoidal shape of the net  30  can vary and will result in slightly different ball return net systems  10 , as will be discussed below. For tubular elements  22  that are 1.5″ in diameter, the sleeve  48  may be 6″ wide to allow unhindered movement along the tubular elements  22  of the frame  20 . 
   The pattern and gauge of the net  30  may vary depending on the type and size of the ball the return net system  10  is used for. For example, diamond, triangle, square, other polygonal or non-polygonal shapes, etc. A heavier gauged net  30  provides a stronger arresting force to the ball. As an alternative to a heavier gauge net  30 , small weights may be hung on the lower portion of the net  30 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , to assemble the net  30  onto frame  20 , the sleeves  52  of the longer parallel edge  46  and side edges  48  are compacted and slipped over the upper front transverse member  28 . Then the remaining members  32 ,  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  42  and  44  of the frame  20  are interconnected to form frame  20 . After full assembly of the frame  20 , the net  30  is then mounted across the frame  20  such that the sleeve  52  of the longer parallel edge  46  is sleeved onto the upper front transverse member  28  and the pair of upper horizontal members  32  and each sleeve  52  of the side edges  48  is sleeved onto an upper vertical member  34 , an intermediate inclined member  36  and a lower vertical member  38 . The shorter parallel edge  54  gathers on the floor where the ball return net system  10  sits and towards the lower rear transverse member  44 . 
     FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  5  and  6  show the ball return net system  10  with the net  30  mounted on the frame  20 . The net  30  is not tautly mounted across the frame  20 . Due to the sizes and configurations of the frame  20  and the net  30 , net  30  is loosely hung on the frame  20  and forms a U-shape channel or hammock  40  across the pair of intermediate inclined members  36 . Above the U-shape channel  40  and below the upper front transverse member  28  is a U-shape forward bulging pillow  56 . The U-shape pillow  56  defines the impact zone of the ball return net system  10  and the U-shape channel  40  defines the ball return zone of the ball return net system  10 . A target  60  may be provided on the net  30  as a feedback tool for a user practicing consistent striking, hitting or kicking of a ball into the target  60 . Target  60  may be sewn or painted onto any area of the net  30 . Further, the target  60  can by any shape and size. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , when a ball  50  is hit into the impact zone  56  of the net  30 , the U-shape pillow  56  moves backward in the direction X+from the original vertical position (see  FIG. 5 ) prior to impact. The net  30  absorbs the energy of the moving ball  50  to arrest its forward motion in the direction of X+. As the net  30  returns to its original position prior to the impact of the ball  50 , the net  30  pushes the ball  50  in the direction of X−. The ball  50  rolls down towards the U-shape channel  40  (ball return zone) in the direction of Y. When the ball  50  reaches the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel  40 , the ball  50  is released from the net  30 . The combined forces in the X− and Y directions caused by the swinging/rocking of the net  30  and gravity, respectively, cause the ball  50  to have sufficient momentum and energy to roll directly towards the user who hit/strike/kick the ball  50  into the net  30 . The spinning return of the ball  50  as a result of the forces in the X− and Y directions enhance the speed and distance of the return ball  50 . 
   A ball  50  hit into the impact zone  56  of the net  30 , regardless of whether it is centered or off-centered, the ball  50  rolls down towards the U-shape channel  40  (whether centrally or left or right sides of the U-shape channel), which then funnels the ball  50  towards the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel  40  for a consistent release and return of the ball  50  to the user in front of the net  30 . As illustrated, a ball  50  is not randomly returned as in the prior art. 
   A ball  50  hit into the U-shape channel  40  similarly funnels the ball  50  towards the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel  40  for return to the user. A low ball  50  striking the net  30  below the impact zone  56  and the U-shape channel  40  may become trapped in the net  30  gathered on the ground below the U-shape channel  40 , so as to prevent the ball  50  from exiting the back of the net  30  and becoming a dangerous trajectory. 
   The U-shape channel  40  of the net  30  may be adjusted and fine-tuned for different balls and return effects. The depth of the U-shape channel  40  may be adjusted by varying the ratio between the longer parallel edge  46  and the shorter parallel edge  54  of the net  30 . A smaller ratio between the longer parallel edge  46  and the shorter parallel edge  54  provides a deeper U-shape channel  40 . The lowest point of the U-shape channel  40  may be 1″ to 18″ off the ground by varying the dimensions of the net  30  or by raising the U-shape channel  40 . The U-shape channel  40  may be raised by providing a hook  58  (as shown on  FIG. 1 ) on the upper vertical member  34  of the frame  20  so that a cord  62  connected to the hook  58  may be used to pull the sleeve  52  of the side edge  48  of the net  30  upward along the intermediate inclined member  36  of the frame  20 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . By raising the lowest point of the U-shape channel  40  higher above ground allows a ball  50  exiting the U-shape channel  40  to drop to the ground to create a bounce, for the return of a larger ball such as soccer. For the return of golf balls, where a rolling return is preferred to a bouncing return, the lowest point of the U-shape channel  40  is closer to the ground to avoid such a bounce. 
   The impact zone  56  of the net  30  may also be adjusted and fine-tuned for different balls and return effects. As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the impact zone  56  may be angled backward by using a cord  64  connected to the hook  58  to pull back the impact zone  56  of the net  30 , at a nearly 45 degree angle. Different angles can be achieved by pulling back from different points of the impact zone of the net  30 . Angling the impact zone  56  of the net  30  prevents a ball that travels at a near vertical upward angle from skimming over and skipping off the surface of the net  30  and not returning the ball  50 , as illustrated by arrow A in  FIG. 5 . By providing an angled impact zone  56 , a ball  50  hit into it allows the net  30  to absorb the energy and arrest the movement of the ball  50  before rolling down to the U-shape channel  40  for return of the ball  50 , as illustrated by arrow B in  FIG. 11 . An angled impact zone  56  works well with a user driving a golf ball  50  with a sand wedge or 9 Iron that produces a significant loft to the ball  50 . 
   The shorter parallel edge  54  of the net  30  may be completely raised above ground to create a deeper U-shape channel  40  with the use of cord  62  connected to the hook  58 . By pulling the lower end of sleeve  52  of side edge  48  of the net  30  upward along the intermediate inclined member  36  of the frame  20 , the U-shape channel  40  forms a pocket above ground that collects balls  50  hit into the net  30 . The creation of such a pocket is advantageous when the ground is wet or muddy. 
   The features of the invention illustrated and described herein is the preferred embodiment. Therefore, it is understood that the appended claims are intended to cover the variations disclosed and unforeseeable embodiments with insubstantial differences that are within the spirit of the claims.