Abstract:
A collapsible frame supports a first and second net useful for practicing various volleyball maneuvers. The first net is attached such that it acts as a standard volleyball net and the second net is attached behind the first net such that it catches and holds volleyballs hit over the first net. The entire apparatus can be disassembled making it convenient for storing and portable to any desired location.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a volleyball apparatus, and in particular to a training apparatus used for volleyball practice. 
     Members of a volleyball team must practice several ball-striking moves to hone skills. Some practice is acquired during team practices, but many times further practice is required whereby drills are carried out. In these instances, the balls become strewn throughout the court and the practicing individual or others must retrieve the balls, which wastes time. This method of practice also wastes gymnasium space since only one or two players are benefitting from the court time. In addition, players are confined to only practice where the volleyball court is set up in the gymnasium. 
     Other training devices were previously described such as in Crist, U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,646. This apparatus, however, is fixed to a wall preventing it from being portable. Even though the Crist device is collapsible, it can not be completely removed from the gymnasium and stored in another convenient location. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a volleyball training apparatus. The apparatus has a frame with front and back support members that extend vertically. A first net is attached to and extends between the front support members. A second net is attached to and extends between the back support members and creates a pocket behind the first net. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 a  is one embodiment of the volleyball training apparatus invention. 
     FIG. 1 a  is the training apparatus with the second net removed. 
     FIG. 2 shows the second net of FIG. 1 a.    
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  are end views of the frame showing the preferred positioning of the wheels. 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  are top views of the left lower side of the frame showing preferred positions of frame components in the setup and collapsed states. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded side view showing the basic components of the frame. 
     FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention. 
     FIGS. 7 a - 7   c  show the second net used in FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 a  shows the preferred embodiment of training apparatus  10 . Training apparatus  10  includes frame  12  (formed by front posts  14 , back posts  16 , front poles  18 , back poles  20  and  22 , net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b , coupler  26 , end bars  28   a  and  28   b , cross bars  30   a  and  30   b , hinges  32 , supports  34 , cross stabilizers  36 , stabilizing bars  38 , fasteners  40 , pole mounts  42  with pegs  44   a  and  44   b , sleeves  46 , and set screws  48 ), first net  50 , second net  52  (with edges  54 ,  56 , and  58 , and panels  60  and  62 ), ball release  64 , wheel supports  66 , and wheels  68 . 
     Front posts  14  and back posts  16  are located at each comer of frame  12 . Front poles  18  stack on front posts  14 , back poles  20  stack on back posts  16 , and back poles  22  stack on back poles  20 . Net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b  attach at the tops of back poles  22 . Coupler  26  connects net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b . End bars  28   a  and  28   b  extend from front posts  14  to back posts  16 . Cross bar  30   a  extends between end bars  28   a , cross bar  30   b  extends between end bars  28   b . Cross bars  30   a  and  30   b  are attached to end bars  28   a  and  28   b  by hinges  32 . Supports  34  extend vertically between and attach to end bars  28   a  and  28   b . Cross stabilizers  36  extend diagonally between cross bars  30   a  and  30   b  and intersect with each other. Stabilizing bars  38  extend diagonally between end bar  28   a  and cross bar  30   a  and end bar  28   b  and cross bar  30   b . Stabilizing bars  38  may extend toward the front or back of frame  12  from either side of cross bars  30   a  and  30   b . Fasteners  40  secure connections between each of the components. Pole mounts  42  are attached to cross bar  30   b . Pegs  44   a  and  44   b  extend vertically from pole mounts  42 . Sleeves  46  slide over front poles  18 , and set screws  48  fix sleeves  46  to front poles  18 . 
     First net  50  attaches to eyes (or loops)  70  at the top and bottom of sleeves  46  and extends between them. Second net  52  attaches at the ends of edge  54  to eyes  70  at the top of sleeves  46 ; ends of edge  56  attach to net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b  near the attachment to back poles  22 ; and edge  58  remains unattached on the backside of frame  12 . Panel  60  of second net  52  hangs loosely between front poles  18  and back poles  20  and  22 , such that second net  52  forms a large pocket behind first net  50 . Panel  62  drapes behind panel  60 . Ball release  64  is located within the pocket of panel  60  of second net  52 . Wheel supports  66  connect to end bars  28   b  and support wheels  68 . 
     When in use, training apparatus  10  is set up as shown and can be positioned on any suitable surface. The height of first net  50  is adjusted by moving sleeves  46  up or down along front poles  18 . Sleeves  46  are secured in the desired position by tightening set screws  48 . First net  50  can be set to an adjustable height such as from about six feet to over nine feet. 
     FIG. 1 b  shows training apparatus  10  with second net  52  removed. This provides a simpler view of apparatus  10  in the course of assembly or disassembly. 
     FIG. 2 is the preferred embodiment of second net  52 . Second net  52  includes edges  54 ,  56 , and  58 , panels  60  and  62 , and position  72 . Second net  52  is about 9 feet 4 inches wide and about  17  feet tall. Edge  56  is positioned about 9 feet 4 inches from edge  54 . Edge  56  is positioned on net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b  (FIG.  1 ). Position  72  is located about 9 feet 4 inches from edge  54 . In an alternate embodiment of the invention second net  52  can be attached to back poles  20  at position  72 . 
     A player practices various shots by hitting a volleyball over first net  50 , and training apparatus  10  provides a realistic setting. Second net  52  catches the volleyballs hit over first net  50 . Second net  52  is positioned about twelve feet above the ground, so that it will block almost all volleyballs as they are hit over first net  50 . The volleyballs come to rest in the pocket formed by panel  60  of second net  52 . Edge  54  of second net  52  could be positioned at any height above the floor along front posts  14  and front poles  18  as long as second net  52  is long enough to form a pocket within panel  60  for catching and keeping the volleyballs. The pocket can also be formed from two separate nets instead of one single net. Volleyballs are easily retrieved from the pocket of second net  52 . 
     Ball release  64  makes retrieving volleyballs from the pocket of second net  52  more convenient. In one embodiment, ball release  64  is comprised of a tubular piece of cloth that tapers from a larger opening, attached to second net  52 , to a smaller opening, which hangs below the larger opening when loosened to allow volleyballs to drop through, and a drawstring around the smaller opening. When the drawstring cinches the smaller opening closed, the pocket of second net  52  is level. Volleyballs are emptied from the pocket by loosening the drawstring, which allows the tubular cloth to drop down and let volleyballs to pass through. 
     In a second embodiment, ball release  64  is comprised of a square cloth attached to the pocket of second net  52 . The cloth is permanently attached along one side to second net  52  and detachably connected along the remaining sides by Velcro fasteners or some other suitable means. When all sides of ball release  64  are attached, the volleyballs are collected in the pocket of second net  52 . To release the volleyballs, the detachable sides are released and the volleyballs will fall through the resulting opening. 
     Two components of the preferred embodiment of the invention prevent spiked volleyballs from undergoing a slingshot action which propels the volleyball back over first net  50 . The first is net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b  connected by coupler  26 . If a volleyball is spiked over first net  50  and into second net  52  without net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b  with coupler  26 , back poles  20  and  22  tend to bow and flex causing second net  52  to act as a slingshot. With net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b  connected together by coupler  26  attached in place, this effect is greatly reduced. Preferably, net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b  are made of PVC pipe and the ends are attached to the top of back poles  22  in the following manner. D-loops are attached near the top of back poles  22 , and net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b  have openings, which are perpendicular to the length of the tubes, drilled at one end of each tube. The components are attached by slipping a bolt through the openings of  24   a  and  24   b  and the D-loops on back poles  22  and securing the bolt in place. 
     The slingshot effect is further reduced by panel  62  of second net  52 . Panel  62  drapes behind panel  60 , which is the section of second net  52  where the volleyball is hit into. The added netting further prevents the volleyball from being tossed back over first net  50 . 
     FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  show the preferred manner of planting apparatus  10  so that it does not roll during use. FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  include front post  14 , back post  16 , front pole  18 , back pole  20 , end bars  28   a  and  28   b , support  34 , wheel support  66 , and wheels  68 . FIG. 3 b  further includes chain  74 . 
     FIG. 3 a  shows apparatus  10  with wheels  68  positioned such that apparatus  10  is mobile. When wheel support  66  with wheels  68  is locked in a position along side end bar  28   b , wheels  68  are on the floor and front post  14  and back post  16  are lifted off the floor. Apparatus  10  can be rolled to a desired location. 
     FIG. 3 b  shows apparatus  10  with wheels  68  positioned such that apparatus  10  is planted on the floor. To operate, one end of wheel support  66  is lifted from the floor and attached to chain  74 , which causes the other end of wheel support  66  to pivot relative to end bar  28   b . In this position, wheels  68  no longer touch the floor and front post  14  and back post  16  now touch the floor. Apparatus  10  is planted in position and will not move during use. 
     Once practice is finished, training apparatus  10  is collapsible for easy portability and storage. First net  50  and second net  52  are detached from frame  12 . Net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b  with coupler  26  detach from back poles  22  and coupler  26  disconnects net stabilizer  24   a  from  24   b . Front poles  18  and sleeves  46  are disconnected from front posts  14 , and back poles  22  are disconnected from back poles  20 , which are in turn disconnected from back posts  16 . Front poles  18  are placed on pegs  44   a  and back poles  20  and  22  are placed on pegs  44   b  for storage. Stabilizing bars  38  slide along cross bars  30   a  and  30   b  and attach to pins  40 a. This allows end bars  28   a  and  28   b , front posts  14 , and back posts  16  to pivot around hinges  32  such that end bars  28   a  and  28   b  will be essentially parallel to cross bars  30   a  and  30   b , and frame  12  will be essentially flat. Training apparatus  10  is easily rolled and requires a minimal amount of space for storage. If desired, all fasteners  40  could be removed and the parts disassembled for even more compact storage, however, this requires more time and effort for disassembly and reassembly. 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  illustrate how frame  12  collapses for storage. FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  include end bar  28   b , cross bar  30   b , hinge  32 , stabilizing bar  38 , pole mount  42  with pegs  44   a  and  44   b , and wheel support  66 . FIG. 4 b  additionally includes arrow  76 . 
     FIG. 4 a  shows the position of each part while apparatus  10  is setup for use. While setup, cross bar  30   b  extends perpendicularly from end bar  28   b , and end bar  28   b , cross bar  30   b , and stabilizing bar  38  form a right triangle. 
     FIG. 4 b  shows the position of each part while apparatus  10  is collapsed for storage. Stabilizing bar  38  is disconnected from cross bar  30   b , and as cross bar  30   b  pivots at hinge  32  relative to end bar  28   b , the end of stabilizing bar  38  slides along cross bar  30   b  in the direction shown by arrow  76  and is connected to pin  40   a . Cross bar  30   b  is no longer perpendicular to end bar  28   b , and the frame becomes more compressed, which allows it to fit through a doorway for storage in a storage room, for example. 
     FIG. 5 shows how basic parts of frame  12  assemble. FIG. 5 shows frame  12  which includes front post  14  with tubing  14   a  , back post  16  with tubing  16   a , front pole  18 , back pole  20  with tubing  20   a , back pole  22 , end bars  28   a  and  28   b , and support  34 . 
     To assemble, front pole  18  slides over tubing  14   a  and stacks on to front post  14 . The diameter of front post  14  and front pole  18  are equal, while the diameter of tubing  14   a  is smaller. Back pole  20  slides over tubing  16   a  to fit the same way onto back post  16 , and back pole  22  fits over tubing  20   a  to fit onto back pole  20 . 
     Preferred dimensions for some of the components of frame  12  are as follows. The width of frame  12  is about 43 inches. Front and back posts  14  and  16  are about 38 inches long with tubing  14   a  and  16   a  about 15 inches long. Front pole  18  is about 60 inches long. Back pole  20  is about 46 inches long with tubing  20   a  about 6 inches long. The length of back pole  22  is about 60 inches. 
     FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention, which is generally similar to FIG. 1 a , with the following exceptions. First, net stabilizers  24   a  and  24   b  and coupler  26  are not used. Second, second net  52  includes only panel  60 . Third, the upper comers of panel  60  are connected to eyes or hooks  80  at the upper ends of back poles  22 . Fourth, wheels  68  are mounted on the bottom ends of front posts  14  and back posts  16 , and wheel supports  66  are eliminated. Fifth, stabilizing bars  38  extend toward the back of frame  12  from cross bars  30   a  and  30   b.    
     FIGS. 7 a ,  7   b , and  7   c  show more details regarding second net  52  shown in the embodiment of FIG.  6 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 a - 7   c  ball release  64  is in a form of a square aperture  100  which is covered by a square flap  102 . A hook and loop fastener (such as Velcro) material  104  is positioned around opening  100  to hold flap  102  in place. Fastener  104  is preferably sewn in place around the edge of opening  100 . 
     Grommets  106  are positioned in each of the four corners of second net  52  for connection to hooks  70  and  80 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, second net  52  is approximately 9 foot 4 inches square. The forward edge of opening  100  is approximately 30 inches from front edge  54  of second net  52 . Opening  102  is approximately 12 inches by 12 inches in dimension and is centered at approximately equal distances from the left and right edges of second net  52 . Flap  102  is slightly larger in dimension than the size of opening  100 . 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.