BALL RETURN PRACTICING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract: A ball return apparatus (1) including a frame (4) supporting a net or nets (2) providing a ball receiving shape which is of approximately rectangular proportions providing thereby a cavernous capturing and returning area with a lowermost net (9) or net portion shaped, held and aligned to provide a sloping of 10 degrees and tensioned floor (9) such that it will effect a return of the ball to a delivery location. The apparatus has an end panel (5), two side panels (6, 7), a roof panel (8) and a forwardly inclined lowermost panel (9) with sufficient slope so that a ball will roll out from the cavernous shape toward a player. Each of the panels (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) are held taut under relatively uniform tension by helical springs (3) connected to the frame (4). The apparatus (1) can be used for practicing golf driving; kicking an Australian Rules football or soccer ball; pitching a baseball or softball; throwing a cricket ball, netball or basketball; and hitting a hockey ball or tennis ball.

Description: BALL RETURN PRACTICING ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a ball return arrangement particularly intended for practicing sporting games involving a ball. BACKGROUND ART There has been previously disclosed in patent literature but not being commonly known as common general knowledge a supported circular frame holding under resilient tension a rebound mat within the perimeter of the frame. This is arranged to provide a rebound effect for a ball targeted to hit onto the mat. Such an arrangement is useful for those who are relatively expert and can reliably aim a ball in the first instance to land against such a mat with a force and direction appropriate for rebound in a useful direction to occur. Those who are not so expert find such a device difficult to use. In one case there is provided such an arrangement with such a mat loosely held for absorbing the impact of a golf ball so that this will then just roll to a bottom of the mat for later collection. A difficulty to which this invention is directed is related is the current difficulty of being able to provide an arrangement which will provide for a ball return to a person either practicing or playing with such a ball where the return is such that the ball can be received usefully. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In one form of this invention there is proposed a ball return apparatus including a frame, and a net or nets, supported by the frame, and being positioned and shaped so as to be in a ball receiving shape which shape includes a lowermost net or net portion which is sloped so that a lower end of said portion of the net is lowermost closest to a ball delivery location. In preference the ball return apparatus is further characterized in that the ball receiving shape of the net is defined by a net or a portion of the net defining each of a side of the ball receiving shape. In preference the ball return apparatus is further characterized in that the ball receiving shape of the net is defined by a net or a portion of the net defining a top or roof of the ball receiving shape. In preference the ball return apparatus is further characterized in that there is a roof part which is joined or is integral with the respective sides and at its further end, to an end receiving part. In preference the ball return apparatus is further characterized in that the net or net parts are each held by resilient means with respect to a supporting frame. In preference the ball return apparatus is further characterized in that such resilient means comprise springs which are attached in removable fashion with respect to frame elements of the frame. In preference the ball return apparatus is further characterized in that the supporting frame is constructed of, at least in the main, tubular elements. In preference, there is accordingly in other words provided by a net or nets, a ball receiving shape which is of approximately rectangular proportions providing thereby a cavernous capturing and returning area with a lowermost net or net portion shaped, held and aligned to provide a sloping and tensioned floor such that it will effect a return of a ball to a delivery location. In preference, the arrangement is such that there is a frame supporting a net, with a lower portion of the net or a separate net part which is adapted to be lower than a receiving area of the first mentioned net or net part and this being inclined so as to direct a ball that will fall onto this part in a return direction toward a delivery location. The advantages of such an arrangement are that by selecting different net tensions, and inclinations of the nets or net parts, such an arrangement can provide for a range of selected receiving and return conditions for one or more balls. In preference, a receiving shape of the net includes a part at each side which has its rear edge joined to or integral with a receiving or end net or net part and a lower edge joined to or integral with the return sloping net or net part. In preference, there is a roof part which is joined at its sides to the respective side parts and at its further end, to the end receiving part at its top. In preference, the net or net parts are each held by resilient means with respect to a supporting frame. In preference, such resilient means comprise springs which are attached in removable fashion with respect to frame elements of the frame. In preference, the supporting frame is constructed from linear elements held together at corners by, for each corner, an interconnecting means which can be a bracket or can be welded portions where the linear elements are at least in the main, comprised of tubes having, in one instance, one or more apertures in the wall of the tube to receive a hook of a respective resilient member supporting in a resilient manner a portion of the net or net part. In another case, the linear element has secured thereto a hook to which the hook of a spring element can be attached. In preference, the resilient means together with the supporting frame, are arranged to hold the respective net parts or net so that such parts are held for each side, or a receiving end, substantially planar under such resilient tension. In preference, the net is comprised of a netting which is formed of knotted strands of a pliable but not substantially resilient material such as 1 " square polyester netting. The mesh of such netting is also chosen to be appropriate to the size of the ball or balls which are to be used so that the mesh is such that any selected ball will not readily pass through any such mesh. In preference, the mesh is chosen so that a variety of balls can be used which, in one example, have included a golf ball, a tennis ball, an Australian Rules football, a soccer ball, a cricket ball, a hockey ball, a baseball, a softball, a netball and a basketball. It has been found that there is advantage in having the netting for each of the sides, the end, the top and the lip, substantially planar and under a selected extent of tension. It has been found therefore, in preference, that there is advantage in having edges of the netting inter-engaging with a rod or cable rods which extend along the edge of the netting and to which at spaced apart intervals, are secured resilient members such as a helical spring, a further end of which is secured to one of the frame members. By having resilient members which can be disconnected, it is then possible to firstly change such resilient members so that there can be provided a higher or lower spring tension, or in another case, the spring tension can be released, for instance, at the end of the arrangement so that the netting then is allowed to hang limp howbeit that the sides, top and lip are still held under spring tension. Such an arrangement is effective when the arrangement is used as a golf practice device. In such a case then, the golf ball is hit at speed into the end which will absorb the significant inertia of the ball but is positioned so that the ball is then simply directed to roll back to an entry location at which the practicing player is located. In another form of this invention, there is provided at least a resiliently held upper part, a resiliently held end part, and a resiliently held inclined lip. With such an arrangement, it has been discovered that an oblong ball such as that used for the playing of an Australian Rules football game, can be kicked so as to first impact against the uppermost part, after which it will rebound onto the end part and then rebound into the inclined part to then return to the practicing player. The advantage of such an arrangement is that the oblong ball, in the process of striking and rebounding in the manner described, the roof, receiving end and then the sloping lower net portion or part, appears to provide an alignment to the ball which allows for a relatively predictable return location for the ball to a practicing player. In other words, it is possible to kick the ball with different levels of force and direction and on each occasion, the ball has its trajectory straightened so that it will be returned to bounce off the forwardly inclined net into an easily collectable position for the practicing player. The reason for this is believed to be that the net or net part in each case distorts with the pressure exerted by the ball but with a sharper slope on a side that is closer to the edge than the other side. This sharper slope effect then will have a rebound effect that is stronger in centring the ball than the less sharp slope on the other side and therefore there is provided this alignment effect. If this is arranged to be repeated several times, then the effect is compounded with a result that is very beneficial. Changes in the relative orientation of the roof, and the back and the forwardly inclined lowermost net can be adjusted to assist this result and details of the specific measurements and angular relationships that have been found to be effective will be given with the understanding that it is realised that other orientations will provide advantage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment which shall be described with the assistance of drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ball return arrangement according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same first embodiment as shown in Figure 1 with however springs released from an end receiving part to make the arrangement more suitable for golf; Figure 3 is a plan view of the first embodiment as in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a side view of the first embodiment as in Figure 1 ; Figure 5 is a perspective detail of a corner part of the first embodiment as shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment illustrating a net being supported by a frame with a tethered ball at a front opening; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment with a loose net within the net structure; and Figure 8 is a side elevation of the structure of the third embodiment as in Figure 7. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Accordingly referring to Figures 1 through to 5 there is a ball return arrangement 1 which is provided by a net arrangement 2 providing a cavernous receiving shape which is resiliently supported by a plurality of resilient members 3 to a frame 4. The net arrangement is made from netting material which has a mesh formed by knotted cord where the mesh is chosen in this embodiment to be 3 cms square and this is chosen so as to ensure that a golf ball will not penetrate through this even when distorted into a circular shape and is otherwise economically available and able to be held taut to provide a springing effect even though the netting material itself is simply pliable but not substantially resilient and is made from conventional netting materials such as conventional plastics materials. Total net at present: Quins code SNSHN0148-30. 210x48x1 inch square polyester. The golf net which is used in the back section is: Quins code 42960 Net Knotless polyester. There is an end panel 5, two side panels 6 and 7, a roof panel 8 and a forwardly inclined lowermost panel 9 which is supported so that it will slope toward a player's end and with sufficient slope so that a ball will roll out from the cavernous shape toward the player. Each of the panels 5 through 9 is supported so as to be held taut under relatively uniform tension by firstly having a plurality of reinforcing differing rods shown typically at 10 intermeshed with the side of the respective netting of a respective panel and to which respective rod 10 is secured in removable manner, spaced apart resilient helical springs 3. The outer end of each helical spring 3 is secured in an appropriate manner and, in this case, to a hook 11 which is secured to the respective frame members immediately adjacent the appropriate location. The frame 4 is constructed from a plurality of individual parts which include four uprights 12, 13, one to each side of a forward end of the arrangement 1 , and 2 at the rear end at 14 and 15, one to each side at this end furthest from the practicing player. Each of the uprights 12, 13, 14 and 15 in this case, have secure thereto the spigots around which the ends of the respective lateral frame members 16 and 17 at the top and to each side, and 18 and 19 to the bottom and to each side. Each of the frame members described thus far is a tubular shape. There is then transverse members 20 and 21 at the forward end and 22 and 23 at the distal end which interlock also then with the respective uprights 12 and 13 in the one case and 14 and 15 in the other. The distal end of the lowermost longitudinal elements 18 and 19 are supported at an elevated position when joined to the distal uprights at 14 and 15 so as to provide for the inclined alignment of the lowermost panel 7. While the drawings show the approximate inclination firstly of the lowermost panel 7 and the inwardly tapering relative positioning of the two sides 6 and 7, the distal or back panel 5 is supported generally vertically in the embodiment when the arrangement shown is supported on level ground. The degree of tension that is chosen is such that each of the panels will be relatively taut to an extent that when a ball such as an Australian Rules football is dropped from a height of 1 metre onto a middle position of the lowermost panel 7, then this will be caused to bounce to at least 20 percent of the drop height. In the embodiment, the rebound height from a football of standard type dropped from one metre onto a centre of the floor net has been 60 centimetres. The remaining panels, that is the distal end, the sides and the roof are tensioned to approximately the same extent. We now have an arrangement 1 which can be disassembled for convenient packaging and transport and which can be made economically but which, when assembled, can provide for very effective assistance in training and play for players of ball games. In the second embodiment as shown in Figure 6 there is a frame structure 20 to support a net 21 that of itself can provide some resiliency. This is achieved by having a tubular frame that extends from a first front bottom corner 22a to a front top corner 22 across to an oppositely located back corner 23 then extending downwardly at 24 at a forwardly inclined angle of 20 degrees to a lowermost forwardly extending part 25. There is then a cross part 26 where the path of the tube proceeds through 27 to diagonally extending part 28 to a front corner 29 to a front bottom corner 30. A spacer 31 exists between front cross part 32 to back lowercross part 26. As the anchor points for the net which are shown at 33, 34, 35, 36, are at positions which will cause the tubular members to bend under tension from the net, the net will then be flexible under load. Further, the somewhat complex path of the tubular members means that the frame can be constructed substantially without welding. There is a ball 37 which is supported by a top string 38 and elastic members 39 and 40. This allows the ball 37 to be hit with considerable force to an extent that it will impact on respective parts of the net to be caused to be centred by the attributes described for a dynamic return to a to-be-hit position as shown. Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a third embodiment where the frame at a bottom is now in a crossing formation similar to the top. In particular there are two crossing members 40 and 41 which each extend straight from a front bottom corner, 42 in one case and 43 in another to a rear corner oppositely positioned at 44 in one case and 45 in another. This adds to the resilient support effect described. There is also supported within the net formation 46 and 47 a loose net 48 which is positioned to absorb the inertial impact from a golf ball and then return this through the inclined floor 49 to a front lower edge 51. The extent of inclination can vary but approximately 10 degrees to 30 degrees have been found to be especially useful. The back net of 20 degrees to the vertical is of significant advantage both for additional downward directional force on balls impacted against this or it can be used for rebound practice from the back of the whole structure. Figure 9 illustrates the use of Velcro strapping 56 and 57 which can now be used to attach the net 58 to the frame while there is now the additional resiliency being provided by the frame. There is a reinforcing member 59 passing through a centre of the seam material 60. In the first instance then, to practice Australian Rules football, a player can now kick a ball into the forward end of the arrangement so that it will impact against the roof and then continue forward but lower trajectory into the distal panel 5 which respective actions appear to cause the ball to continue a rotation together with the fact that in each case, there is some distortion of the net panel and rebound effects which appear to straighten the ball to the extent that it will then generally deflect from the distal panel 5 onto the lowermost panel 7 with sufficient force and alignment such that it will generally drop onto this with a returning force and with sufficient bounce that the practicing player will then generally be in a position to gather or collect the ball on its return trajectory. What we have then is an arrangement so that a practicing player can continuously kick relatively well or even poorly with a reasonable opportunity of getting the ball back within an easily gatherable area. It can only be imagined how advantageous this will be. For a single player then to continue to repeat a kicking action with the ability to modify and correct kicking to get best effect while, at the same time, having the ball returned conveniently on each occasion relatively quickly and relatively aligned is of huge advantage. Further however, the arrangement 1 is not only suitable for Australian Rules football practice. We have discovered that the apparatus can be used for other ball games and in particular, golf. In this case, the distal panel 5 is released from spring tension while the sides, top and bottom panels are still kept tensioned. The result is that there is now a soft net at a target end of the net arrangement so that with even very strong impact of a golf ball into the mouth of the arrangement 1 , will have the result that the ball will invariably be directed into the now soft target net panel 5 so that the ball then having had its velocity absorbed, will simply roll off onto the bottom panel 7 and then roll back to the practicing golf player. Referring to Figure 6, this is a view of a second embodiment which is the same as the first embodiment except that rod 10 is replaced with a cable 24. A next variation is to simply use some parts of the arrangement 1 for other practice purposes. For instance, one of the side panels can be used as a rebound net for practicing the playing of tennis. This then leads to the possibility that there can be two or three or even more people using the apparatus for different practice purposes without interfering, one with respect to the other, and providing a practice centre. For instance, if a practicing player is playing and practicing Australian Rules football, then this of itself will not be interfering with or be interfered by any person practicing tennis against any of the sides where they are positioned outside of the apparatus. The centring alignment effect that has been spoken of previously can be by reason of the nature of the shaping of a net when it is tensioned but under impacting pressure from a ball so that in a sense the net or panel is distorted into an approximately v-shape so that the respective sloping sides then have this centring effect. If this is repeated over the alignment of three respective panels, then the dynamic effect that has been experienced, is then very convenient and highly advantageous. Part of the implicit centring effect could arise because of the characteristic of a net held taut where, if a ball impacts to one side, then the shorter side of the net is at a greater angle and therefore will provide more rebound effect toward a centre alignment. If this effect, which is observable, is repeated through several rebounds, then the effect is compounded so as to provide this additional centring advantage. This is the case then with the roof especially and with the return panel. The apparatus and method is also useful for specifically practicing hand ball as used in accordance with Australian Rules Football. For instance, the ball can be hand balled into the back of the net so that it will rebound off the lower net and therefore be effectively returned. It has been found that, as well, the sides can be used to practice various approaches in hand ball. A further application relates to the game of baseball where the apparatus can be used to provide a return of a baseball after pitching. Further, the apparatus can be used for cricket where a cricket ball can be returned after practice action of throwing the ball at simulated stumps. A further form of the invention then could be said to reside in an arrangement to provide a rebound effect for a ball for the purposes of practice or play with such ball where there are at least two rebound surfaces, each being a pliable panel comprised of netting or the like held under resilient pressure and such that there will be effected a centring effect on a ball where a ball rebounds on a respective panel.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A ball return apparatus including a frame, and a net or nets, supported by the frame, and being positioned and shaped so as to be a ball receiving shape which shape includes a lowermost net or net portion which is supported so as to be sloped so that a lower end of said portion of the net is lowermost closest to a ball delivery location. 2. A ball return apparatus as in the preceding claim further characterized in that the ball receiving shape of the net is defined in part by a net or a portion of the net providing each of two sides of the ball receiving shape. 3. A ball return apparatus as in the immediately preceding claim further characterized in that the ball receiving shape of the net is defined in part by a net or a portion of the net defining a top or roof of the ball receiving shape. 4. A ball return apparatus as in the immediately preceding claim further characterized in that the roof part which is joined or is integral with the respective sides and at its further end, to the end receiving part at its top. 5. A ball return apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that the net or net parts are each held by resilient means with respect to an outer supporting frame. 6. A ball return apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that such resilient means include at least one spring which is attached in removable fashion with respect to a frame element of the frame. 7. A ball return apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that the supporting frame is constructed of, at least in the main, tubular elements. 8. A ball return apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that the supporting frame is constructed as a plurality of elongate elements which are joined together by interconnecting means. 9. A ball return apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that the resilient means together with the supporting frame, are arranged to hold the respective net parts or net so that such parts or nets are held for each side, roof and a lowermost net or part and a receiving end, substantially planar under such resilient tension. 10. A ball return apparatus further characterized in that the net is comprised of a netting which is formed of knotted strands of a pliable but not substantially resilient material such as 1 " square polyester netting. 11. An apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that mesh of such netting is appropriate to the size of the ball or balls which are to be used so that the mesh is such that any selected ball will not readily pass through any such mesh. 12. An apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that the size of mesh is chosen so that a variety of balls can be used which include a golf ball, a tennis ball, an Australian Rules football, a soccer ball, a cricket ball, a hockey ball, a baseball, a softball, a netball and a basketball. 13. An apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that the netting for each of the sides, the end, the top and the bottom, is substantially planar and under a selected extent of tension. 14. An apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that edges of the netting inter-engage with a rod or cable rods which extend along the edge of the netting and to which at spaced apart intervals, are secured resilient members such as a helical spring or a strap, a further end of which is secured to one of the frame members. 15. An apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that the spring tension can be released, for instance, at the end of the arrangement so that the netting then is allowed to hang limp howbeit that the sides, top and lip are still held under spring tension. 16. An apparatus as in any one of the preceding claims further characterized in that there is provided at least a resiliently held upper part, a resiliently held end part, and a resiliently held inclined lip. 17. An arrangement to provide a rebound effect for a ball for the purposes of practice or play with such ball where there are at least two rebound surfaces, each being a pliable panel comprised of netting or the like held under resilient pressure and such that there will be effected a centring effect on a ball where a ball rebounds on a respective panel.

Inventors: DAVIES PHILIP CLAUDE, DAVIES, PHILIP, CLAUDE
Applicants: DAVIES GROUP PTY LTD, DAVIES PHILIP CLAUDE, DAVIES, PHILIP, CLAUDE
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A63B69
IPC codes: A63B47, A63B69, A63B71