Abstract:
A random rebound sports training device is provided which includes a pair of misaligned or offset net structures disposed on a frame that enable a projectile striking the net structures to rebound in a random manner. The structures are secured to a support frame such that the openings formed in the net structure, which are larger than normally utilized, are offset from one another. The offset of each of the net structures greatly reduces the potential for a projectile striking the device from contacting the same portions of the net structures, thereby causing the projectile to rebound in a random manner from the device. The frame on which the net structures are mounted can be easily configured between a use configuration and a storage configuration. Further, each of the net structures can be secured to a single support frame, or can extend from separate frames onto a target frame to provide multiple use sections on the device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to sporting equipment, and more specifically to a rebound practice device utilized to practice games requiring balls or other projectiles to be thrown or caught by an individual. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    To enable individuals to practice various sports involving the throwing of a projectile, such as a ball, at a specified target, such as another player, a number of different practice devices have been developed. The majority of these devices include a target having a rebound component or net which directs the projectile thrown by the individual against the target back to the individual after striking the target. 
         [0003]    To enhance the realistic, live action game qualities of the practice targets of this type, a number of different devices have been developed which allow the device to rebound or redirect the projectile back to the individual in an unpredictable, or random, manner. These devices, instead of having a net, use surfaces formed of a more rigid material that include a number of knobs, bumps or other projections on a contact surface that is to be struck by the projectile. Thus, instead of striking a generally flat surface, the projectile strikes one or more of the projections at different angles, causing the projectile to rebound off of the projections in a random direction. As a result, the individual utilizing the device is forced to react quickly when attempting to catch or retrieve the projectile rebounded from the device in a manner similar to that experienced during actual play of the game. 
         [0004]    However, these practice devices that have been developed for redirecting the ball toward the individual in a random manner are formed with generally solid plastic or rubber rebound surfaces including the projections extending outwardly from the surface at various intervals that provide the uneven surface that causes the projectile to be redirected in a random manner when struck. These types of materials are not easily deformed into more compact forms, such that to store the rebound surfaces the surfaces formed of these materials must often be disassembled for storage, instead of being folded similar to simple rebound nets. In addition, due to the different requirements for mounting these heavier random rebound surfaces to form the practice device, the type of frames supporting these surfaces necessarily have to be constructed differently from the conventional frames utilized to hold rebound nets, making the devices less lightweight and portable as a result. Thus, while providing more realistic game play than prior rebound devices, the random rebound structures are limited in their usefulness due to their portability and storage limitations. 
         [0005]    As a result, it is desirable to develop a random rebound practice device capable of redirecting a projectile in a random manner toward an individual that is constructed similarly to widely known and accepted structures for rebound devices to include the portability and ease of use of those devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, a random rebound practice device is provided which includes a support attached to a target panel. The support is formed of one or more support panels that each includes a rebound net secured thereto that extends from the respective support panel onto the target panel. On the target panel, each of the net structures are secured to the target panel and offset slightly from one another on the target panel. The offset of the net structures enables the net structures to function similarly to a rebound net. However, instead of simply rebounding a projectile or ball back to an individual utilizing the device, the offset net structures redirect the projectile off of the target panel in a random manner. 
         [0007]    According to another aspect of the present invention, the net structures attached to the support and target panels of the device are each formed similarly to rebound nets used in prior art rebound net devices, but each define apertures therein that are larger than normally used in rebound net designs. The larger apertures formed in the net structures of the present device enhance the ability of the misaligned net structures on the target panel to redirect the projectile striking the target panel in a random and unpredictable manner. Further, the net structures forming the rebound section of the target panels are secured to the frame for the target panels with a tension in the net structures that is higher than that used in prior art net constructions. This higher tension in the net structures further enhances the ability of the net structures to rebound a ball striking the net structures in a random manner. 
         [0008]    According to still another aspect of the present invention, the support panels form a base for the target panel that can be placed where desired. The support panels are each pivotally secured to the target panel in order to enable the support panels to be moved between an extended use configuration, and a folded storage configuration. The support panels can be moved independently with respect to one another to position the device in various alternative use configurations where one or the other of the support panels is extended from the bracket while the others are maintained in the storage configuration. Additionally, the target panel can be adjusted with respect to the support panels to provide an added adjustment mechanism for the device when in use. 
         [0009]    According to still a further aspect of the present invention, due to the attachment of a single net structure to each of the support panels, the net structures on each of the support panels can function as a rebound net separately from the random and unpredictable rebound abilities of the misaligned net structure located on the target panel. Thus, the device can provide different functions depending upon the use desired of a device by an individual. 
         [0010]    Numerous other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description together with the drawings figures. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention. 
           [0012]    In the drawings: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a random rebound device constructed according to the present invention in the use position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the device of  FIG. 1  in a storage position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a random rebound practice device constructed according to the present invention as indicated generally at  10  at  FIG. 1 . In the preferred, illustrated embodiment, the device  10  includes a pair of support panels  12  and  14  connected to a target panel  16 . The shape of the support panels  12  and  14  and the target panel  16  can have any desired configuration, but in the preferred embodiment, the panels  12 - 16  are each generally rectangular in shape and are each connected at one end to a pair of brackets  18 . 
         [0019]    The support panels  12  and  14  each are formed with a U-shaped, tubular frame  20  that is formed of a rigid material, such as a metal or hard plastic. The frame  20  for each panel  12  and  14  is pivotally secured at opposite ends to each of a pair of bracket  18  through the use of a suitable fastener or pivot pin  22  fixedly attached to each of the brackets  18  and to which the U-shaped frame  20  is rotatably mounted. Further, while the frames  20  are illustrated as being generally U-shaped, the frames  20  can have other shapes, such as square or circular, among others, depending upon the particular use for the device  10 . In addition, to provide added stability to the device  10 , the brackets  18  are connected by a support bar  19  that extends between the brackets  18 . 
         [0020]    Each frame  20  also includes a net structure  24  secured thereto. The net structure  24  is preferably secured to the frame  20  using an attachment bar  26  that is fixedly secured along the inner periphery of the U-shaped frame  20 . The attachment bar  26  is spaced from the inner periphery of the frame  20  by a number of supports  28  spaced along the length of the frame  20  and connected between the frame  20  and the bar  26 . The bar  26  ad the supports  28  are also preferably formed of a rigid material, such as a metal or hard plastic, and most preferably are formed of the same material as the frames  20  to facilitate the attachment of the supports  28  to the frame  20 , and the bar  26  to the supports  28 . 
         [0021]    The net structures  24  each include a number of loops  30  formed around the periphery of the net structure  24  and through which the bar  26  is inserted in order to attach the net structure  24  to the frame  20 . The loops  30  extend outwardly from the net structure  24  along an elastic net support line  32  positioned around the entire periphery of the net structure  24 . The support line  32  is formed of a resilient and elastic material and functions to tension the net structure  24  across the frame  20 . The elasticity of the support line  32  enables the net structure  24  to deflect or deform when struck by a projectile  100 . After the initial deflection, the elastic bias of the support line  32  causes the line  32  to move back to its original position and urge the net structure  24  to its original position as well. This consequently exerts a rebound force on the projectile  100  that has struck the net structure  24  to send the projectile  100  back towards the individual. Depending upon the amount of tension inherent in the material forming the line  32 , applied to the support line  32  during assembly, or to which the line  32  is adjusted using a suitable adjustment mechanism (not shown), the rebound force exerted by the net structure  24  on the projectile  100  can be made greater or lessened. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support line  32  is formed to exert a tensioning force on the net structure  24  that can be greater than that found in prior art rebound net structures. This increased tension on the net structures  24  supplied by the support line  32  enhances the ability of the net structure  24  to rebound a ball striking the net structure  24  in a random manner. Further, in configurations for the device  10  including multiple net structures  24  on the target panel  16  creates even more tension in the target panel  16 , enhancing even further the random rebound characteristics of the device  10 . 
         [0022]    Each net structure  24  further includes a number of strands  34  of any suitable material, such as rope, nylon, or the like, that extend across the net structure  24  and are fixed to the net support line  32  at opposite ends. The strands  34  can be secured at opposite ends to the net support line  32  in any configuration in order to define openings  36  of any desired shape between adjacent strands  34 . However, the strands  34  are preferably oriented in a perpendicular configuration in order to form openings  36  that are generally square in shape. Most preferably, the openings  36  formed between the strands  34  are square in shape, and have dimensions of at least 2 inches by at least 2 inches. This dimension for the openings  36  in the net structures  24  is larger, i.e., about twice the size, than the dimension for openings found in prior art rebound nets, and allows for a greater portion of the ball or projectile  100  striking the net structure  24  to enter the opening  36 . More preferably, the size of the openings  36  is between about 1.500 inches and about 3.000 inches in width, and more preferably between about 1.625 inches about 2.500 inches in width, and most preferably the openings  36  are square in shape. Because more of the projectile  100  enters the opening  36 , the projectile  100  is rebounded off of the net structure  24  in a random manner. 
         [0023]    The strands  34  are joined to one another at the points of intersection  37  of the respective strands  34  to maintain the position of the strands  34  with respect to one another and keep the shape and relative size of the openings  36  defined therebetween. While the connections at the intersections  37  can be made using any suitable means, such as an adhesive or mechanical fastener, preferably the stands  34  are interconnected by weaving and/or winding the threads  34  around one another as they are extended across the net structure  24 , as is known in the art. By winding the strands  34  around one another at the points of intersection  37 , this manner of interconnection of the strands  34  forms knobs  200  at the points of intersection  37  that can further assist in the functioning of the net structure  24  in a manner to be described. 
         [0024]    In a preferred embodiment, each net structure  24  secured to the frames  20  on the support panels  12  and  14  is formed to have a length sufficient to enable the net structure  24  to extend from the support panels  12  and  14  to which it is secured around the support bar  19  and onto the target panel  16 . However, the net structure  24  on the target panel  16  can also be formed of a single net structure  24  that extends from one or the other of the support panels  12  or  14 , or that is only secured to the target panel  16  with its own associated support line  32 . 
         [0025]    The target panel  16  is formed similarly to the support panels  12  and  14  with a tubular, U-shaped frame  20  including the attachment bar  26  and supports  28  thereon to secure the net structures  24  from the support panels  12  and  14  thereto. However, in the preferred embodiment, when each of the net structures  24  from the support panels  12  and  14  are positioned on the attachment bar  26  on the target panel  16 , the net structures  24  are located in an overlapping configuration with respect to one another on the target panel  16 . In addition, the net structures  24  are attached to the target panel  16  in an offset configuration, such that the openings  36  formed in each net structure  24  are not aligned with one another, as best shown in  FIG. 3 . This offset configuration for the openings  36  on the target panel  16 , in conjunction with the large openings  36  formed in each net structure  24 , enables the target panel  16  to rebound a ball or projectile  100  thrown against the target panel  16  in a random manner. This is because the offset configuration of the openings  36  of each net structure  24  operates to greatly lessen the chances of a projectile  100  contacting the same portions of the net structures  24  when thrown against the target panel  16 . Thus, because the projectile  100  does not strike the same portions of the overlapping net structures  24 , the projectile  100  does not rebound off of the target panel  16  in the same manner, or in the same direction, as best shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0026]    In addition, as stated previously, the size of the openings  36 , which allow larger portions of the projectile  100  to avoid striking the net structures  24 , and the irregular shapes of the intersections  37  formed in the respective structures  24  further lessens the potential of the projectile  100  striking the exact same location and portions of the net structure  24 . The random rebound properties of the device  10  can also be altered as desired by attaching one or more net structures  24  to the various panels  12 - 16  of the device  10  that have larger, and similar or different sized openings  36 , or which have openings  36  with different shapes or configurations. Also, in conjunction with the larger openings  36 , the tension applied to the net structure(s)  24  by the support line(s)  32  enhances the random rebound characteristics of the device  10  as well. The elastic characteristics of the support lines  32  used in each of the net structures  24  can be varied to tension the net structures  24  as desired to provide differing rebound forces from each of the net structures  24 . 
         [0027]    Because the net structures  24  are each positioned by themselves on each of the support panels  12  ad  14 , each of these panels  12  and  14  can also function as a random rebound surface similarly to the target panel  16  and may direct any projectiles  100  that rebound off of the target panel  16  in a random direction in a direction back to the individual. However, these support panels  12  and  14  may also be configured with the net structures  24  thereon to function solely as a return surface for projectiles  100  striking these panels  12  and  14 . 
         [0028]    Looking at  FIG. 2 , the device  10  can be reconfigured from the use configuration of  FIG. 1  into a storage configuration. In the storage configuration, the support panels  12  and  14  are pivoted about the pivot pins  22  with respect to the brackets  18  to move the panels  12  and  14  adjacent to either side of the target panel  16 . This movement disengages a pair of stub shafts  38  attached to each end of the frame  20  for each panel  12  and  14  from similar shafts  38  located on the opposite panel  12  or  14 . The shafts  38  can be formed integrally with or separately from the frame  20 , and are positioned at an angle with respect to each end of the frames  20 . In a preferred embodiment, the shafts  38  provide the attachment point between the pivot pin  22  and the frame  20  to which the stub shafts  38  are connected. Each stub shaft  38  includes a cap  39  disposed opposite the frame  20  that operate to enclose the frame  20  and prevent any water or other material from entering the interior of the frame  20 , and optionally to frictionally engage a cap  39  on an opposed shaft  38  to facilitate holding the support panels  12  and  14  in the use configuration. 
         [0029]    In the storage configuration, the support panels  12  and  14  are positioned generally parallel to and on opposite sides of the target panel  16 . The support panels  12  and  14  can be held in this configuration utilizing a pair of braces  40  disposed on opposite sides of the device  10  and pivotally secured at each side to one of the panels  12  or  14 . The braces  40  are rotatably connected to a pin  42  disposed on the frame  20  of one of the support panels  12  and  14  and can be selectively engaged with a locking pin  44  located on the opposite panel  12  or  14 . In addition, the braces  40  can be connected between the frames  20  of the support panels  12  and  14  when the device  10  is in the use configuration as shown in  FIG. 1  to maintain the support panels  12  and  14  in the desired configuration with respect to one another. 
         [0030]    In order to allow the target panel  16  to be adjusted to provide the desired rebound angles for the projectile  100  striking the target panel  16 , the target panel  16  may also be pivotably connected to each bracket  18 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The target panel  16  can be maintained in the desired angle or configuration by angular locking mechanism  46  disposed on each bracket  18  that includes a plunger  46  movably connected to the target panel  16  and selectively engageable with one of an array of apertures  48  located in the bracket  18 . By depressing the plunger  46  and moving the plunger  46  into alignment with the desired opening  48 , the plunger  46  can be released to extend through the opening  48  and secure the target panel  16  in a desired angle or position with regard to the support panels  12  and  14 . 
         [0031]    Looking now at  FIG. 5 , a second embodiment for the device  10  is illustrated in which the target panel  16  has a square frame  50  formed from a generally rigid, tubular material, and including an attachment bar  26  and supports  28  similarly to the frame  20  of target panel  16  in  FIG. 1 . The frame  50  can support one or more net structures  24  formed similarly to the structures disposed on the device  10  of  FIG. 1  and connected to the attachment bar  26 , or a single structure  24 ′ that includes a single support line  32 ′ secured to the bar  26  and on which are formed a pair of overlapping nets  52  in an offset configuration, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The nets  52  extend across the entire frame  50 , with the openings  36  formed by the nets  52  positioned in an offset configuration to provide the random rebound characteristic for the device  10 ′. In addition, the frame  50  is connected to a base  54  having a pair of generally triangular supports  56  extending upward from a horizontal brace  58 . In this embodiment, the target panel  16  forms the entire target portion of the device  10  with the offset net structures  24  disposed entirely within the target panel  16 . 
         [0032]    Various other configurations and alternative embodiments of the present invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.