Single Assembly Sports Net Master Frame

The Single Assembly Sports Net Master Frame (also referred to as a portable golf ball return apparatus) that supports existing nets is disclosed. The invention is comprised of a portable golf ball return apparatus having several parts: a first part being a central hub; a second part being a lower frame with telescoping arms and the third part being the outer arms—which connect to these subsequent parts which are not included in the invention; being vertical rods to support the net; and the base mat. An object of the invention is to allow existing golf ball return nets to be supported by a quickly collapsible, support frame that is foldable and compact for transportation based on a single assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to practice nets of various sports. More specifically, it relates to a portable golf ball return apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Golf is an ancient sport and many historians agree that the organized game of golf originated in Scotland in the mid-1400s. And most golfers consider the 18-hole golf course at St Andrews (dating to back to the late-1500s) to be one of first modern-day golf courses. The oldest surviving rules of golf were compiled in much later in the late-1700s by the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. The world's first golf tournament, called the Open Championship, took place in the late 1800s in Scotland. In the late 1800s the United States formed the United States Golf Association. Beginning in 1980s, the name of the pro circuit was officially changed to the Professional Golfers Association—or the PGA tour. Tournament golf had become a well-established spectator sport in the United States and has been gaining popularity ever since. However, not every golfer has access to such courses to practice on and the golf industry has created a wide-array of practice tools to help golfers stay on top of their game. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,569,094A and 6,749,520B1 granted to Macaluso and Neskudla et. al. respectively disclosed golf practice nets with foldable hoops. International Patent No. WO1985002549A1 granted to Dudley Darell Pettersen disclosed a complicated, practice net with multiple poles and lines with stakes.

Many current golf practice nets have too many parts and take too long to assemble. The golf nets usually have metallic base frames with posts on either side on which fiber glass rods are inserted to hang the netting. The object of this invention is to achieve a simple design and enhance assembly speed so that the effort in assembling the net does not exceed the enjoyment derived from using it.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The device herein disclosed and described provides a solution to the shortcomings in the prior art through the disclosure of a portable golf ball return apparatus. Many current golf practice nets have too many parts and take too long to assemble. These golf nets usually have metallic base frames (with a minimum offour, separate steel components) with posts on either side on which fiber glass rods are inserted to hang the netting. To achieve the simplicity and speed in the set up of the golf net, I have invented a master frame of a single assembly. It is essentially a base frame which pivots, extends and locks into place in seconds. The invention is comprised of a master frame having several parts: a first part being a central hub; a second part being a lower frame with telescoping arms; a third part being the side extension arms. An object of the invention is to allow a golf ball to be returned to a player when struck by a golf club. As in most conventional ball returns, the player stands in front of the device, hits the ball and the apparatus catches and returns the ball at a much slower rate of speed to the user.

Another object of the invention is to allow the device to be portable. The portable golf ball return apparatus has collapsible, support frames that are foldable and compact for transportation and can be stored in a closet, under a bed etc. The apparatus can also receive a plurality of existing nets and support rods in its central hub.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As used in the claims to describe the various inventive aspects and embodiments, “comprising” means including, but not limited to, whatever follows the word “comprising”. Thus, use of the term “comprising” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present. By “consisting of” is meant including, and limited to, whatever follows the phrase “consisting of”. Thus, the phrase “consisting of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, and that no other elements may be present. By “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements.

The objects features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements described in this specification and hereinafter described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, but should not be considered as placing limitations thereon.

Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

FIGS. 1 and 2showing a perspective views of the invention. The invention having several parts: a first part being a central hub6; a second part which pivots from the first part being a lower frame with hollow, square-shaped, telescoping inner arm13and a third part being the outer arm4which pivots from 13; further parts illustrated but not included in the invention being upper vertical rod2and existing lower vertical rod3and a base mat14; and vertical rod assemblies3and2. The invention allowing a net17(not included as part of this invention) to be supported therein. All of the aforementioned components being made of a rigid material such as but not limited to aluminum, powder-coated steel, fiberglass, carbon fiber and the like.FIG. 2showing a perspective view of the invention being folded with telescoping inner arm13and outer arm4pivotably-connected to central hub6. The outer arm4being narrower than telescoping inner arm13allowing it to fit inside to attain the telescoping position. Said central hub6having a rectangular, planar shape with two, parallel walled portions therein. The central hub6being a plate having a proximal portion with a U-shape to receive said telescoping inner arm13and outer arm4there between. The figure showing outer arm4being connected to telescoping inner arm by means of joint5and having U-shaped outer clips8on distal ends for selectively affixing net corners thereon. Said joint5having anchor posts9configured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of joint5and having a diameter to receive lower vertical rod3. Said lower vertical rod3and upper vertical rod2being slidably-connected by coupling7and allow a user to slide the sides of a net thereon.

FIG. 3showing the invention collapsed in compact mode showing the single assembly concept and close-up images of central hub6and joint5having bolts12pivotably affixing telescoping inner arm13and outer arm4respectively. Said central hub6and joint5having a plurality of apertures11configured to receive detents10on telescoping inner arm13therein providing removable anchoring in the different positions. The figure also showing detents11in outer arm4engaging telescoping inner arm13also providing removable anchoring when in an extended position.

FIG. 4shows the invention being used by user14who has hit golf ball15at the invention. The invention supporting a net (not included in the invention) and allowing it to catch said golf ball15and dissipate its velocity therein and drop down to mat16made of a flexible material such as rubber and the like that dampens the velocity of the golf ball15when making contact until retrieved by user14.

It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.